Parker: Frankie Muniz zooms outta the 'Middle' for race car-driving career

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Frankie Muniz, star of the Fox series Malcolm in the Middle, seems comfortable with fame. When our interview on The Palm patio Thursday was rudely crashed by three so-called "journalists" who act like they're his friends, Muniz politely obliges and poses for a few photos.

"I'm used to it," he says. "I can be out to dinner with a half a rib stuck in my teeth, and people will ask for a picture or an autograph. And if I say, 'Give me a minute,' they get all, 'Oh, that's how you are.' "

Even though Muniz just finished a successful six-year run on Malcolm in May, he's shelved his acting career. Now, the 20-year-old has immersed himself in the wild world of racing as one of five drivers for Espon Team Jensen. He's in town to race a Formula BMW during the Grand Prix of Denver today and Sunday.

The darling, diminutive Muniz is a self-confessed "car nut" who says he "has a problem with buying cars." Race-car driving has been a dream that came true when friends hooked him up with Eric Jensen, owner of Team Jensen.

"I'm like his older brother," Jensen said. "I'm getting him through the good and the bad very quickly."

Muniz has a two-year deal with Jensen and will move up to Atlantic car racing series next year.

"The first time I sat in a car, it really scared me," said Muniz, who started the sport six months ago. "Now, I'm confident in the car, and I push myself."

Muniz realizes how lucky he was to have worked in the entertainment industry steadily since he was 8 years old.

"I was always shocked they wanted me," he said about landing acting jobs. "I just memorized the lines and said them, and it worked. Now, I'm doing something I'm really passionate about."

SIX MIL SECOND: Paul Wasicka, the Westminster man who reached the final round of the 37th annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, took home a cool $6.1 million Friday as the second-place finisher in the contest.

The 25-year-old Fairview High grad was whupped when former Hollywood talent agent Jamie Gold, who took home the $12 million prize, beat him with a pair of queens over Wasicka's pair of 10s.

Wasicka called Friday and said he felt like he "played a near perfect tournament," despite the loss to Gold.

"I made some mistakes, but I was really happy when I followed my instincts and didn't back down when I felt I was being bluffed. If I had folded and then later found out it was the wrong fold, I would be so upset with myself."

Wasicka, who will continue playing on the poker circuit, plans to invest most of the money to "make sure my future's rock solid."

"The money's nice, but that's not why I play poker. It's something I enjoy doing and talking about."

PAINT THE TOWN BLUE: Comedy Works and Larimer Square are throwing a parade from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 21 to honor Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue, a Comedy Works regular. Parade peeps are asked to wear blue to mark the occasion called Blue Monday.

BOOT ROUTE: Lewis & Floorwax radio show producer Kathy Lee took James Gang guitarist Joe Walsh cowboy boot shopping Friday, but the rocker came up empty-booted.

Lee had offered her shopping services during a Friday morning interview on The Fox-FM (103.5). After breakfast at Zaidy's downtown, the two cooled their bootless heels at Starbucks on Larimer Square until Cry Baby Ranch opened.

"He bought a chair and some clothes, but none of the boots fit him," said Lee, who chatted with Walsh about his 12-year sobriety and the "old days" when he played at the Pioneer Inn in Boulder.

She deposited Walsh back at his hotel so he could take a nap before the soundcheck at Red Rocks for the band's concert Friday night.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman talking about Muniz: "His blue racing car matches his eyes."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.