Kurt Busch emerged from his hauler with a beer company logo plastered across his chest, which seemed a bit unbecoming in light of his troubles at the end of last season.

Then, he did his best to prove he's not the same guy.

Busch greeted a semicircle of reporters, photographers and cameramen with a smile and a cheery, "Hi guys." He patiently answered every question without offending anyone. And, get this, he even thanked an Atlanta Motor Speedway official for arranging the interview session.

"You can still be a competitor and be well-rounded," Busch said Tuesday. "You've got to have that edge on the track. It's just a matter of flipping a switch and becoming a good guy with your public image."

Busch still must learn how to flip that switch. Already labeled as petulant and arrogant, his image took its worst blow yet when he had a run-in with Phoenix police before the next-to-last race of the 2005 Nextel Cup season.

While reports of Busch being drunk proved false - police said he was well below the legal limit for intoxication - his combative attitude toward officers only strengthened the perception that he was nothing more than a spoiled brat.

Busch, who won the series title in 2004, was suspended for the final two races of his championship reign by his former team, Roush Racing. He's been trying to mend fences ever since, fully aware of how important this season is to his career.

He's working with a new team, Penske Racing South, and an almost entirely new crew. He's trying to get used to a new style of car, switching from Ford to Dodge, which brings all sort of subtle adjustments that can only be smoothed out on the track.

Most striking, Busch is now behind the wheel of the No. 2 machine instead of the No. 97, filling the seat left by the retirement of Rusty Wallace, who went out as one of the sport's most popular drivers.

Busch and his new crew were at the 1.54-mile Atlanta track for a hastily arranged tire test, but it was more than that. This was everyone's first chance to test out their burgeoning relationship at nearly 200 mph.

"You could say this is like our first beer together," Busch said, a comment that could be seen either as inappropriate (in light of what happened at Phoenix) or a cleverly inserted product placement (the No. 2 car is sponsored by Miller Lite).

Busch is now driving for Roger Penske, who runs a no-nonsense, straight-laced organization that expects everyone to toe the company line. And, rest assured, there's no room for the sort of shenanigans that have plagued the team's newest driver.

In a backhanded jab at his former team, Busch said he expects a more professional relationship with his new boss.

"I understand the way Roger works," he said. "That's going to be the best medicine."

So, has Penske dispensed any specific orders for Busch to clean up his act? Does he have to be more respectful of his fellow drivers? Does he have to watch his drinking?

It doesn't sound like it.

"Roger told me to stand on the right pedal, turn left and go fast," Busch said. "He doesn't want me to do anything different. Just race hard, race smart."

Busch's new crew chief, Roy McCauley, said the team understands that winning races is the most important goal. There's no extra points for popularity. Besides, Busch is only 27. He's still got plenty of growing up to do.

"When A.J. Foyt was 29 or 30, he wasn't exactly the easiest person to deal with," McCauley said. "Bobby Allison wasn't the easiest person to deal with in his 20s and 30s. Tony Stewart was up there for a while, but he's made great strides to become a good champion.

"Every good driver has an edge to him," McCauley went on. "If he doesn't, I'm not sure what kind of driver he would be. The most important thing is: Kurt's a racer. The other stuff doesn't bother me. That's just part of what we have to deal with and work with."

Busch sounds sincere when he talks of sparing his new team from some of the misery that led his old team to cut him loose two races ahead of schedule. He's getting married this year and believes that spending more time with his wife-to-be will change his outlook on life. He also revealed one of his New Year's resolutions.

"I challenged myself," Busch said, "to be a better overall person."

Check back at the end of '06 to see if that one pans out.