WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Kurt Busch says he's no pretty boy, not like those drivers at Hendrick Motorsports.
"The Hendrick guys are pretty boys," Busch said Friday.
That response came when Busch was asked about the personality side versus the racing side of the sport. He said the Hendrick drivers get the magazine covers.
I'm guessing that's the first time 51-year-old grizzled veteran Mark Martin has ever been lumped in the pretty-boy category, although I'm sure Busch was referring to Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
And Busch added this little dig at the newest member of the Hendrick clan.
"Even if I had a shot at the [No.] 5 car, pretty boy Kasey Kahne got picked over me," Busch said.
Busch's disdain for the handsome gentlemen at Hendrick was obvious. And Johnson is No. 1 on his dislike-list after getting punted by JJ last week at Pocono.
Johnson said he called Busch on Monday to explain he didn't bump him intentionally in the incident that caused a big wreck and led to Elliott Sadler's dangerous crash.
Johnson also said they joked on the phone. Busch wasn't laughing Friday.
"We've been wrecked by Johnson quite a few times," Busch said. "He says it's not intentionally. Johnson and I are fine, but it's tough when it's three [wrecked cars] against nothing out there."
Johnson wants to settle any differences with Busch, saying: "I hope everything goes away. I have nothing against him."
Johnson left the media center Friday just as Busch was arriving. And Busch had a message for Johnson.
"I asked him, 'Do I need a dust pan and a broom to clean up your mess?' ''