Jeff Burton has a simple explanation for last week's uncharacteristic post-race outburst.

"I was just pissed off, man," Burton said before Friday's on-track activities at Pocono Raceway. "I wouldn't go any further. I was just pissed off. I had 15 laps or whatever it was to get calmed down and I didn't. And I felt like I needed to handle it and address it right then. I was just mad. It's no more complicated than that."

Burton angrily confronted Kyle Busch following Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after Burton lost a tire when the two made contact. Five days later, Burton calmly explained why he lost his cool.

"This is an emotional sport," Burtson said. "I've been that mad plenty of times. But typically, when you get that mad, you have time to get over it before the race is over. On that occasion, I didn't. I don't know when the last time was, but that's not the maddest I've ever been, I can guarantee you that." (Video)

Coincidentally, the two were scheduled for back-to-back media availabilities, making for a brief encounter in the Pocono media center. While Burton was being interviewed, Busch walked by. Burton smiled, reached out and tapped him on the back.

"We haven't talked," Burton said. "Not because I've been avoiding him or I think he's avoiding me. I was in Watkins Glen, doing tire tests for Goodyear the past two days and have been really busy. I told you guys two weeks ago, I like racing with Kyle. I have no problems with Kyle."

Burton said he doesn't expect any repercussions from his set-to with Busch. If anything, he said last week's incident will remind him to stay focused on the task ahead instead of getting caught up in the moment.

"I won't race any differently, and I don't think he'll race me any differently," Burton said. "We're both professionals. Kyle's consistent, and I think I'm consistent. Listen, I'm coming to Pocono to race Pocono. I'm not coming to Pocono to race Kyle. I'm not interested in a weekly confrontation. I don't like yearly confrontations, much less weekly. I'm here to race Pocono and go out and win this race, and he's here to do that, too.

"I understand it was heated, and to his credit, he handled last week pretty well. It's hard when somebody's in your face, yelling at you. He handled it well, his crew handled it well. But it's a new week." (Continued)