Frankie Muniz had safely qualified for Saturday’s Team EJP 175 at the New Hampshire Speedway. He was set to start from 36th on the grid in what is the Craftsman Truck Series’ final regular-season race of 2026, but in a heartwarming gesture, he decided to let his teammate get the spotlight.
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Team Reaume announced on 22nd August that Luke Baldwin will be driving the No. 33 Ford Dr Sheffield’s Ford 150 instead of Muniz. Their statement on X read, “A true teammate. A selfless decision. Now, it’s time to go racing.”
41 trucks took part in qualifying for the Team EJP 175, but only 36 made it to the grid. Baldwin, sadly, wasn’t one of them. And it looked like he would miss out on driving in front of home fans at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Muniz, however, played the ultimate team game. Team owner Josh Reaume had stated that Baldwin was the faster driver of the two with the given equipment. So, Muniz announced on Instagram that he would be stepping aside.
A press release quoted the actor-turned-racer as saying, “He [Baldwin] came here ready to race and did everything he could. Sitting him out when we have a qualified truck that can put him in the field doesn’t make sense for anyone. I’m giving up my seat because I believe it gives the 33 team the best chance to compete for the most available points this weekend.”
Muniz, currently 25th in the standings, is Team Reaume’s only full-time driver and is out of Chase contention. The team’s other car, the No. 22 driven by Patrick Emerling, had sponsorship ties for the New Hampshire race. That left the No. 33 as Baldwin’s only chance to impress in front of his home crowd, and he has thanked Muniz for the opportunity.
“Frankie didn’t have to do this. He has a full-time ride and every right to keep it,” Baldwin said at the NHMS, before stating that he would maximize the opportunity for the No. 33 team.
Baldwin has started 10 Truck Series races in his career so far, with his sixth in 2026 set to come at New Hampshire.
Muniz, meanwhile, who is signed to a multi-year contract with Ford and serves as the company’s brand ambassador, has started 16 in 2026, but with no top 10 finishes.
He has made headlines ahead of the regular-season finale, however, by doing something few NASCAR drivers have done before. Usually, drivers forfeit their spot due to illness or injury. Muniz did it to give the 20-year-old a chance to shine in front of his New England home crowd.