Which celebrity became a NASCAR driver?

Several celebrities have made the leap into NASCAR, most notably country music star Marty Robbins, who raced in NASCAR’s top division from 1966 to 1982. In recent years, X Games icon Travis Pastrana and actor Frankie Muniz have also competed in NASCAR-sanctioned events, underscoring a long tradition of crossover appeal between entertainment and stock-car racing.

The original high-profile crossover: Marty Robbins

Marty Robbins, the Grammy-winning country music legend and Grand Ole Opry mainstay, is widely regarded as the quintessential celebrity-turned-NASCAR driver. Robbins balanced a thriving music career with periodic starts in NASCAR’s premier series (then the Grand National/Winston Cup) over parts of three decades, racing against the sport’s elite while maintaining his status as a household name off the track.

Between 1966 and 1982, Robbins made 35 Cup Series starts and recorded multiple top-10 finishes, including a career-best fifth place. He often fielded his own entry and, at times, partnered with top teams. Robbins’ sportsmanship became part of NASCAR lore: after the 1972 Talladega 500, he voluntarily reported that he had illegally bypassed restrictor-plate limits to keep up with the leaders, accepting disqualification and a fine. That episode, combined with his on-track competitiveness and off-track fame, cemented Robbins as the most famous example of a mainstream celebrity who became a bona fide NASCAR driver.

Modern examples who brought new audiences

While Robbins set the template, newer generations have seen high-visibility figures from action sports and television take on NASCAR competition—often with significant sponsor interest and fan curiosity following them into the garage.

Travis Pastrana

Travis Pastrana, the X Games and motocross/rally superstar, first dipped into NASCAR over a decade ago, running in the Nationwide (now Xfinity) Series and the Truck Series. He returned to the limelight in 2023 with a one-off NASCAR Cup Series drive in the Daytona 500 for 23XI Racing, where he qualified for the race and finished an impressive 11th in his debut. Pastrana’s crossover showcased the sport’s appeal to action-sports audiences and demonstrated his adaptability in elite stock-car equipment.

Frankie Muniz

Actor Frankie Muniz—best known for the lead role in Malcolm in the Middle—began a serious stock-car push by racing full-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, finishing fourth in the championship standings. Building on that campaign, he moved into NASCAR’s national ranks with entries in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2024, continuing a methodical progression from celebrity to dedicated racer under the broader NASCAR umbrella.

Other crossovers and common confusions

Not every famous figure associated with NASCAR has done so as a driver. Some high-profile names are team owners or ambassadors, which can blur the public’s understanding of who actually straps into a car on race day.

The following list highlights notable distinctions between celebrity drivers and prominent non-driving figures connected to NASCAR:

• Marty Robbins — Country music star who logged 35 Cup starts (1966–1982) and multiple top-10s.
• Travis Pastrana — Action-sports icon who qualified for and finished 11th in the 2023 Daytona 500 with 23XI Racing.
• Frankie Muniz — Actor who raced full-time in ARCA in 2023 (4th in points) and entered NASCAR Truck events in 2024.
• Michael Jordan — Global basketball icon, but in NASCAR he is a co-owner (23XI Racing), not a driver.
• Pitbull (Armando Pérez) — Music superstar who is a co-owner at Trackhouse Racing, not a driver.

Together, these examples show how celebrity involvement spans from driving to ownership. Robbins, Pastrana, and Muniz physically took the wheel, while Jordan and Pitbull contribute as influential team owners shaping the competitive landscape.

Why celebrities try NASCAR

NASCAR offers a unique combination of speed, spectacle, and storytelling that appeals to public figures looking for new athletic challenges. For action-sports stars like Pastrana, the transition leverages existing high-speed skill sets. For entertainers like Robbins and Muniz, it pairs personal passion with a platform that welcomes diverse entrants—especially in developmental rungs like ARCA and, for select opportunities, the Truck and Xfinity Series. Sponsorship interest and cross-market fan engagement further encourage these ventures, benefiting both the personalities and the sport.

Summary

Multiple celebrities have become NASCAR drivers. The most famous is country music legend Marty Robbins, who raced intermittently in NASCAR’s top series from 1966 to 1982. In the modern era, X Games icon Travis Pastrana and actor Frankie Muniz have carried the torch, competing in NASCAR-sanctioned events and bringing new audiences to stock-car racing. While other stars like Michael Jordan and Pitbull are influential in NASCAR as team owners, Robbins, Pastrana, and Muniz exemplify celebrities who actually climbed into the cockpit.

What celebrity turned into a NASCAR driver?

Frankie Muniz is going to have to put his second career as a racecar driver on hold for a bit. The former “Malcolm In the Middle” and “Agent Cody Banks” actor said Thursday he broke his wrist in a fall from a ladder. He will miss his next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and several more weeks after that.

Who is the famous actor turned NASCAR driver?

Frankie Muniz latest actor-turned-driver out to prove he can compete in high-level racing. Frankie Muniz, the onetime star of “Malcolm in the Middle,” is making a serious run as a NASCAR truck series driver. Here’s why he’s doing it.

Why did Frankie Muniz switch to NASCAR?

Besides another appearance in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Frankie spent the next 10-plus years away from racing. As for why he chose stock cars for his return, he said he had always looked at NASCAR and thought, “Man, I think that would be fun.

What famous actor was also a race car driver?

James Dean, Paul Newman, and Patrick Dempsey are among the most famous actors who also raced cars. Aside from having successful acting careers, Gene Hackman, Steve McQueen, and James Garner also participated in several races.