Nothing says summer like a truck race at the Speedway accompanied by some good old-fashioned American rock and soul. Former "American Idol" star Taylor Hicks will bring his "Soul Patrol" to the track Saturday night for a gig before the Built Ford Tough 225.

Hicks, 29, who will also sing the national anthem, says he's got no worries about taming the boisterous Speedway crowd, having spent plenty of time at the track in his native Birmingham, Ala. The gray-haired crooner, whose self-titled major-label debut was released in December, has been touring hard for most of this year. The Speedway gig is his only scheduled appearance in the area. He called us from the road and shared some of his boundless enthusiasm for scoring the gig of a lifetime.

Question: You probably didn't know this, but a local guy you may have heard of named Peter Frampton just played the Speedway a few weeks ago.

Answer: Well, that's a tough act to follow, especially when you're talking about Peter Frampton, but that's great. I'm excited about coming to the Speedway.

Q: Are you a NASCAR follower?

A: I do follow NASCAR. I'm actually singing the national anthem at the Homestead race (in Florida), the last NASCAR race of this year. And I'm from Alabama, so there's the Talladega connection.

Q: Have you ever played this area before?

A: I actually haven't. The "Idol" tour hit Louisville and I've come through there a couple of times and hit Louisville before "Idol." I'm looking forward to coming through there and setting up shop.

Q: What would surprise people about your show?

A: I think it's very musical. I never got to play instruments on "Idol," and now I get to play guitar and harmonica. I do mostly originals off of my albums, "Under the Radar" and "In Your Time," and some covers. There's definitely a songwriting, soulful aspect to my music.

Q: You're unusual for an "Idol" winner in that you do have such a musical background and so much touring experience. Has that helped you on the road?

A: It has. Experience playing in clubs for 10 years and trying to make it really teaches you about who you are as an artist and a person. So when you do catch an opportunity like this, it allows you to stay the same person and understand the business a lot better than someone who hasn't been in it. I think people walk away feeling that their votes did count and it was the right vote because it is such a musical show.

Q: What's the first thing fans typically say when they meet you?

A: Soul Patrol!

Q: Do you regret it a bit now that you put that out there?

A: Not at all. The more the merrier.

Q: The Speedway crowd can be a bit rowdy. Are you prepared for that?

A: I played the infield at Talladega, so I'm very aware of the hoopla and I love it! I was born in a honky-tonk, so the more honky-tonk the better.

Q: Where has your "Idol" success taken you that's been the biggest surprise, the place you never imagined you'd get?

A: The White House. That was amazing. I got to meet the president and give him a "Soul Patrol" T-shirt. I haven't seen him wear it yet.