Speed to make start in Nemechek's No. 87 car

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- He wrecked his primary car in practice, and failed to post a fast enough qualifying lap in his backup. But rookie Scott Speed will race in the Southern 500 after all.

The Red Bull Racing driver will start Saturday night's event in Joe Nemechek's No. 87 car, it was revealed in the drivers' meeting preceding the Cup Series event. The car, which is owned and driven by Nemechek, will be serviced by Red Bull's No. 82 pit crew. Nemechek drives Toyotas that were used by Red Bull last season, and he has a relationship with Red Bull vice president Jay Frye dating back to their days at Ginn Racing.

Speed crashed his primary No. 82 car during practice Friday at Darlington Raceway, and was one of two drivers who failed to make the race. Nemechek qualified his car 32nd, but the vehicle will have to drop to the rear of the field because of the driver change.