In Friday’s Zinsser Smart Coat 150 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, it was another sixth-place finish for Frankie Muniz. While a top-ten result and holding steady at second in points would be a major win for any rookie, the 37-year-old wants more.
“Obviously, I’m happy with sixth, but I’m now to the point where I want to be better,” Muniz told TobyChristie.com’s Ben Branscum. I feel like I am a top-five guy in this series, but now I need to prove it.”
Stopped by to talk to @frankiemuniz post-race @Mid_Ohio to talk about his run and his new t-shirt.#ARCA #TeamToby pic.twitter.com/XnjCcRXbsc
— old ben (gone and forgotten) (@BrBranscum43) July 8, 2023
“Anytime I’m not in the top five it’s kind of like a letdown. Where three or four races ago I was like, ‘Oh I’m just in the top-ten that’s a huge win,’ but now I need top-fives and hopefully wins,” the Rette Jones Racing driver added.
In a conversation on Friday, Muniz also opened up about some of the struggles for him and his Rette Jones Racing team this season, including the team’s funds shortage as the second half of the season approaches.
Recently, the Hollywood star launched a new shirt design for pre-order, with proceeds helping the No. 30 team make it to the track for the remainder of the ARCA Menards Series season.
It’s a new project, in which the ARCA Menards Series rookie has dedicated time out of his busy schedule to make it work, and an endeavor that he says he thoroughly enjoys.
“I’m the one who ships them all out. We print them. I package them and sign the receipt to help get them out. But I really love this… Every shirt goes a little way with helping us to keep going.”
That overwhelming sense of fun and enjoyment is exactly what the theme of the year has been for Muniz, who is clearly passionate about climbing the ranks in the ARCA Menards Series, and hopefully one day NASCAR’s National Series.
“Today, I was kind of a few cars a bit away. There was no one really in front of me and no one really behind me. And I was like ‘Look what I get to do? This is so incredible,'” Muniz mentioned. “The last time I raced, I didn’t realize to take advantage of the opportunity when I was in it. You just kind of do it, and you’re focused. You don’t enjoy it.
Muniz still radiates confidence in not just himself, but also his team of hard-working people. Leaving Mid-Ohio, the Wood Ridge, New Jersey native continues to sit second in points, 43 markers behind Jesse Love.
However, it’s evident that Muniz is aching to score his first top-five finish.
“Even here, I saw those two cars go off on the last lap, and I thought they were both on the lead lap. And I was like, ‘Oh I was in seventh, I might get a top-five.’ But no.. sixth.”
As far as funding is concerned, Muniz is hopeful that he will be present in the series’ next event at Iowa Speedway, however, funding will likely dictate whether or not that comes to fruition.
You can watch the full interview with Muniz below.
