“Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz was taken to a Florida hospital on Wednesday, November 11, after he crashed during a practice lap at a Veterans Day event at Daytona International Speedway.

The good news so far: a Ford Racing spokesperson said Muniz was “awake and alert.” Here is what we know about the crash, the event and Muniz’s long second career behind the wheel.

What happened at Daytona

According to Variety, Muniz was scheduled to drive as part of Team Air Force in Ford’s “Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic” on Wednesday. During a practice lap, while the track was closed to the public, he crashed his car.

Citing Entertainment Tonight, Variety reported that Muniz was later taken to a local hospital and would no longer take part in the event.

A Ford Racing spokesperson told People that Muniz had been “taken to a local medical facility for further evaluation and is awake and alert.” No further update on his condition had been shared at the time of the reports, and representatives for Muniz and Ford Racing did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.

A Veterans Day event with a TV reunion twist

The Veterans Day Classic was built around honoring service members, with drivers representing different branches. Muniz’s role with Team Air Force put him at the center of a feel-good event on a day dedicated to veterans.

There was also a small “Malcolm in the Middle” angle. Bryan Cranston, who played Muniz’s TV dad, Hal, was also set to appear at the event to support him, according to ET as reported by Variety. The two reunited earlier this year in the show’s four-episode revival on Disney+.

Muniz’s second career: racing

For many fans, Muniz will always be Malcolm. But racing has been a serious part of his life for years. He first picked up a racing career in 2006 and has kept at it even as he made small returns to acting.

Variety notes that he competed in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series for the last three straight seasons and finished 25th in this year’s series. He even filmed the “Malcolm in the Middle” revival around his racing schedule.

That commitment has earned him respect in the paddock as someone who treats driving as more than a celebrity side project.

Why practice crashes happen

Motorsport is risky even when no trophy is on the line. Practice sessions are when drivers learn how a car handles on a given track, in given conditions, and that can mean pushing limits. Modern safety equipment, from reinforced seats and harnesses to soft barriers at many tracks, is designed to protect drivers in exactly these moments, and medical checks after any significant impact are standard.

We don’t have details on the cause of Muniz’s crash, how fast he was going or what happened to the car, and we won’t speculate. The key facts reported so far are that he was taken for evaluation and was awake and alert.

What fans can do now

Fans have been sending well wishes online, and that is about all anyone can do until Muniz or his team shares an update. If you’re following the story, stick to official statements from Muniz, Ford Racing or his representatives, and be wary of unverified claims about his injuries on social media.

The bottom line

A day meant to honor veterans at one of America’s most famous tracks ended with a scare for Frankie Muniz. He crashed in practice, was taken to a hospital and pulled out of the event, but early word that he was “awake and alert” is a relief. We’ll be watching for an official update on his recovery.

Image: Daytona International Speedway skidmarks on racetrack view of grandstand by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain Mark 1.0