Former Malcolm In The Middle star Frankie Muniz has turned his back on acting to concentrate on a career as a professional Champ Car driver. The speed-loving star is starting from the back of the grid at the upcoming Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in California (April 13-15), where he'll compete for a win in the Champ Car Atlantic Series.

Race spokeswoman Sherry Perez says, "He's (Muniz) had such success as an actor at such a young age, and now it's almost like he's starting over again... as a race car driver."

The child star is sporting a new Mohawk haircut as he attempts to be taken seriously as a member of the Jensen MotorSport team. Muniz raced for Jensen MotorSport in the 2006 Formula BMW USA series. The Long Beach Grand Prix has happy memories for Muniz - he won the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the three-day event in 2005.