Which NASCAR driver was an actor?

Several NASCAR drivers have crossed into acting. Notable examples include Richard Petty (voice of “The King” in Pixar’s Cars), Jeff Gordon (Cars 2 and Saturday Night Live), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Herbie: Fully Loaded and Cars), and Cale Yarborough (guest roles on The Dukes of Hazzard). Their appearances range from live-action cameos to voice roles in major films and TV.

How NASCAR stars crossed into acting

NASCAR drivers have appeared on screen for decades, often playing themselves in racing-centric movies and TV episodes, or lending their voices to animated projects. These roles capitalize on their name recognition and authenticity, helping productions capture the look, feel, and language of motorsports while giving drivers a pop-culture spotlight beyond the track.

Film appearances (live-action)

The following list highlights NASCAR drivers who appeared in live-action films, typically as themselves in racing sequences or cameo roles that added authenticity to motorsport storylines.

• Richard Petty — Stroker Ace (1983) as himself; also a cameo in Swing Vote (2008) as himself.
• Dale Earnhardt — Stroker Ace (1983) as himself.
• Cale Yarborough — Stroker Ace (1983) as himself.
• Neil Bonnett, Terry Labonte, Harry Gant, Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd — Stroker Ace (1983) as themselves.
• Darrell Waltrip — Days of Thunder (1990) as himself (race commentator/cameo).
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. — Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) as himself.
• Jeff Gordon — Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) as himself.
• Jimmie Johnson — Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) as himself.
• Tony Stewart — Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) as himself.

Together, these appearances anchored racing films in real-world personalities and gave fans a glimpse of their favorite drivers in mainstream cinema settings.

Television guest roles

Beyond the big screen, several NASCAR drivers have ventured into television, making guest appearances that ranged from comedic sketches to guest-star turns in scripted series.

• Cale Yarborough — The Dukes of Hazzard (multiple episodes) as himself, blending NASCAR lore with a hit TV franchise.
• Jeff Gordon — Hosted Saturday Night Live (2003), appearing in multiple comedy sketches; also cameoed on The Drew Carey Show.

These roles helped drivers connect with audiences outside motorsports, showcasing personality and humor in front of broader TV audiences.

Voice acting in animation

Animation has been a particularly welcoming space for NASCAR drivers, with the Pixar Cars franchise prominently featuring authentic driver voices to deepen its racing world.

• Richard Petty — Cars (2006) and Cars 3 (2017) as Strip Weathers (“The King”).
• Darrell Waltrip — Cars franchise as Darrell Cartrip, the high-energy race announcer.
• Jeff Gordon — Cars 2 (2011) as Jeff Gorvette.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. — Cars (2006) as “Dale Jr.”
• Chase Elliott — Cars 3 (2017) as Chase Racelott.
• Ryan Blaney — Cars 3 (2017) as Ryan “Inside” Laney.
• Bubba Wallace — Cars 3 (2017) as Bubba Wheelhouse.
• Daniel Suárez — Cars 3 (2017) as Danny Swervez.

These voice roles brought real-world racing credibility to animated stories and introduced NASCAR stars to younger audiences worldwide.

Why drivers make the leap to acting

Producers seek drivers for authenticity, fan appeal, and promotional synergy. For drivers, cameos and voice roles are low-risk, high-visibility opportunities to broaden their brand, humanize their personas, and reach audiences who may not follow NASCAR week to week.

Summary

There isn’t just one NASCAR driver who was an actor—many have acted. Standout names include Richard Petty (notably as “The King” in Cars), Jeff Gordon (Cars 2 and SNL), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Herbie: Fully Loaded and Cars), and Cale Yarborough (The Dukes of Hazzard). Their screen work spans live-action films, television, and voice acting, reflecting a long-running intersection between motorsports and entertainment.

Who was the NASCAR driver that used to be an actor?

The most prominent actor-turned-NASCAR driver is Frankie Muniz, known for his starring role in Malcolm in the Middle. Muniz transitioned from acting to racing in the ARCA Menards Series before becoming a full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, a culmination of his lifelong passion for motorsports. 
Frankie Muniz’s Journey to NASCAR

• Early Acting Career: Opens in new tabMuniz became a child star known for the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. 
• Shift to Open-Wheel Racing: Opens in new tabAfter his acting career, Muniz began focusing on motorsports, participating in the Atlantic Championship series. 
• Stock Car Racing: Opens in new tabHe moved to stock car racing, competing in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and picking up several top-10 finishes. 
• Full-Time NASCAR Driver: Opens in new tabIn 2025, Muniz began his first full-time season as a NASCAR driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. 
• Passion for Cars: Opens in new tabHis love for cars dates back to his childhood, with desires for remote control cars and watching races from a young age. 

How did Frankie Muniz lose his memory?

Frankie Muniz’s memory issues stem primarily from numerous concussions he sustained from childhood through his racing career, and potentially from overstimulation due to his busy childhood, though the exact cause is not definitively confirmed. He initially believed he suffered mini-strokes, but later learned these were severe aura migraines, which are less serious but still contributed to the confusion surrounding his condition. Consequently, he doesn’t recall many details from his time on Malcolm in the Middle, with his memories of the show now being similar to watching it from an outside perspective. 
Factors contributing to his memory loss:

• Concussions: Muniz has suffered nine concussions throughout his life, starting with one during the pilot episode of Malcolm in the Middle. 
• Busy childhood: Starting his acting career at a young age, he was involved in numerous activities simultaneously, which may have prevented him from properly absorbing and retaining experiences. 
• Misidentified health issues: While he once believed he had mini-strokes, he now knows these symptoms were caused by severe aura migraines, which are distinct from strokes but can cause similar neurological symptoms, according to Yahoo Entertainment. 
• External perspective for memories: Instead of clear memories of past events, Muniz often recalls them as if he is watching a movie or looking at a photo of himself in the moment, rather than having been actively present. 

What happened to his memory:

• He began experiencing memory problems after his time on Malcolm in the Middle, but has since realized that his busy schedule as a child actor was a significant factor. 
• Muniz stated that the initial stories about his memory loss, including the talk of mini-strokes, were exaggerated. 
• To cope with his memory issues, he now keeps a journal and relies on photos to help him remember moments, particularly with his family. 

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.

Who was the kid actor turned NASCAR driver?

The former child actor known for his starring role in Malcolm in the Middle, Frankie Muniz, is a NASCAR driver who was set to race full-time in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Reaume Brothers Racing. He transitioned to racing after a successful acting career, pursuing his passion for motorsports by competing in the ARCA Menards Series and selected NASCAR events before his 2025 full-time commitment.
 
From Child Star to Racer

• Early Fame: Opens in new tabMuniz gained widespread recognition as the lead in the popular sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. 
• Transition to Racing: Opens in new tabHe began his interest in racing around 2004, pursuing it more seriously after his acting career. 
• Full-Time NASCAR Drive: Opens in new tabIn late 2024, he announced he would be driving the No. 33 F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing in the full 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. 

Recent Events 

• Broken Wrist: Muniz was sidelined from racing due to a broken wrist in August 2025 after falling from a ladder.
• Recovery: He was expected to be out for approximately six to eight weeks but expressed determination to return to the track as soon as he is medically cleared.