AVONDALE, Ariz. - It was a busy race day out at the ISM Raceway in Avondale for the Can-Am 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series.
Country music and NASCAR go hand in hand for a lot of fans and Sunday ACM Award-winning and platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jake Owen was the Honorary MC.
In a one-on-one interview with Team 12’s Trisha Hendricks, the country music star shared about his love for NASCAR, his new single and his upcoming TV show.
“It’s always a good day when you can hang out at a NASCAR race, especially a playoff race, right?” said Owen. “I’m a big NASCAR fan, so I always love coming out and checking the races out.”
Owen says he has a lot of good friends that are NASCAR drivers, so it was a big deal to introduce all of the drivers.
“Plus, nice, warm weather in Phoenix, Arizona is not so bad either,” he said.
Owen knows a lot of country music fans that are NASCAR fans too.
“If you’re a fan of a NASCAR driver, that’s your driver, right? If you’re a fan of a musical artist in our format of country, people tend to be really loyal,” he said.
The country music star shared about his new single on the radio, “Down to the Honky Town.”
“I think what inspires me about any kind of music is the stuff that makes you feel good...” said Owen. “...and this song makes everybody feel good.”
He also talked about the excitement surrounding his new TV show called Real Country.
“There are so many great people in Nashville as far as talent goes,” he said. “It’s pretty great to be able to shine a spotlight on so many awesome people.”
On the show, Jake, Shania Twain and Travis Tritt are in search of the next big country music star.
“Travis... a Georgia guy, more of a southern rocker, Shania, everyone knows what she’s done in her career, and myself, being a Florida beach guy, we kind of have all the bases covered, so it’s a great show and it’s going to be fun,” he said. “May the best man or woman win.”
Owen plans to be back to the Valley of the Sun in January for the Bird’s Nest.
“Show must go, we’re going to keep on rocking,” he said.
You can catch Jake Owen on his new show, Real Country, on USA Network this Tuesday.