FORT WORTH, Texas -- At last, a big, fast tri-oval. After two weeks of short-track frustration, Texas Motor Speedway is just what Kurt Busch needs.

“

I'm going to go and test all the short tracks across the country so that we can help better ourselves and be ready for Richmond when it comes up in May and get better at Martinsville.

”

-- KURT BUSCH

Following an accident-plagued slog from the rear at Bristol two weeks ago and a backward slide last Sunday at Martinsville that led to a testy radio exchange with car owner Roger Penske, the 2004 series champion is back in his comfort zone. The last time the Sprint Cup tour visited a 1.5-mile intermediate track, at Atlanta on March 8, Busch led 234 laps to dominate the field and record his first victory of the year.

"I feel like our mile-and-a-half program is definitely where we want it," Busch said Friday. "I'm going to go and test all the short tracks across the country so that we can help better ourselves and be ready for Richmond when it comes up in May and get better at Martinsville."

There was certainly room for improvement Sunday, when Busch started second on the half-mile facility and wound up 18th. One adjustment in particular left him fuming, and prompted a radio exchange with Penske that's received ample play on television and on the Internet. Venting over the shortcomings of Penske Racing's short-track program, Busch had no patience for Penske's assurances that everything would eventually be all right.

"It's the most frustrating thing in the world to think that you think we're better than what we are," Busch told his car owner over the radio. Penske, watching the race from atop the spotter's stand, bit right back.

"Well, if you wouldn't blow yourself up, we'd be a lot better, I'd tell you that right now," the car owner said. "Everyone's trying, OK? We don't need a lot of rhetoric that's always negative, OK? I know it's not perfect."

Busch said he discussed the situation with Penske as part of the team's regular Tuesday meeting. (Continued)