- - Frankie Muniz Recalls Being 'One of the Last' People to Speak to NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Before Fatal 2001 Crash

Alexandra SchonfeldFebruary 12, 2026 at 11:50 PM

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Frankie Muniz in 'We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later' (left); Dale Earnhardt in 2001.

Courtesy of FOX Sports

Frankie Muniz is looking back on meeting NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. on the day of his fatal crash at the Daytona 500

Muniz, who was 15 years old at the time and starring on Malcom in the Middle, was tapped to be the race's grand marshal

Years later, the actor would go on the compete at Daytona himself, recently securing a 10th place finish at the famous raceway

On Feb. 18, 2001, NASCAR experienced a tragic loss that continues to resonate.

During the final lap of the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Sr. crashed his car and sustained a basilar skull fracture that killed him. A new FS1 documentary, We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later, examines the racing legend’s legacy and how his death prompted the sport to implement more safety measures.

The documentary features interviews with drivers who either raced alongside Earnhardt or watched him as a fan, including actor Frankie Muniz, who is now himself a NASCAR driver.

The "We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later" film poster.

Courtesy of FOX Sports

Years before getting behind the wheel professionally, Muniz, now 40, met Earnhardt during his run on the TV sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. The Daytona 500 was airing on Fox for the first time, the same network on which Muniz’s Emmy-winning sitcom aired, and the 15-year-old actor was asked to be a grand marshal for the event.

“I don’t get nervous meeting people or I don't get like star struck feeling, but he’s ‘The Intimidator,’ and I was intimidated,” he says in the documentary, referencing Earnhardt’s nickname.

“He was extremely friendly to me, and I remember he said, 'I have to say thank you to you... because your show has brought me and my daughter closer together.' He’s like, ‘It’s something that we turn on Sunday nights and we watch together,' ” Muniz, who was filming a segment for MTV’s Diary that day recalls.

Dale Earnhardt with his fourth NASCAR Winston Cup in November 1990.

Brian Cleary/Getty

“Another thing he told me was, you know, ‘Enjoy it, enjoy the run, because you never know when it’s gonna end,' ” Muniz adds.

Muniz remembers shaking hands with Earnhardt just before he got into his car for the race: “I was, besides his crew chief, probably one of the last people to talk to Dale Earnhardt the day he died.”

While watching the race and eventual crash from the stands, Muniz says he didn’t think it looked as bad as it was. He went back to the hotel and watched the press conference announcing Earnhardt’s death on the television.

A memorial for Dale Earnhardt on Feb. 19, 2001.

ERIK PEREL/AFP via Getty

“That was one of the most jaw-dropping, heart-breaking moments I’ve ever experienced in my life,” he says.

“Maybe I talked to him for a total of three minutes, right? That’s weird that I said three, that wasn’t, I didn’t think of that,” he adds, referring to Earnhardt’s car number. “A very impactful three minutes. Especially where my life ended up going. That was an integral part of finding the passion for the sport. I knew that I would give up everything to try to be a part of the magic that is NASCAR that he helped build.”

Muniz first began racing in 2004 before kicking off his professional career in 2006. He joined Team Reaume as a full-time driver of the No. 33 F-150 in the 2025 season of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Frankie Muniz at Richmond Raceway on Aug. 15, 2025.

Samuel Corum/Getty

He has raced at Daytona several times, and in February 2025, he secured a 10th-place finish in his fifth career NASCAR truck series start at the famous raceway.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate and lucky.... I'm one of maybe 100 people on the entire planet that have a racing license to race NASCAR,” he told PEOPLE on his 40th birthday in December. “So I know I've gotta take advantage of that opportunity."

We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later premieres Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. ET on FS1.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”