Speed also drove Nemechek's car after failing to qualify in May at Darlington. Speed would have to start from the rear of the field because of the driver change.
It was a disappointing qualifying session for Hendrick Motorsports. Jimmie Johnson in eleventh paced the organisation, followed by Jeff Gordon (13th), Mark Martin (14th) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (35th).
Tom Hubert, Chris Cook and Brian Simo also failed to qualify, as the road-course ringers in general put forth a lacklustre effort. Ron Fellows, who starts 29th, was second fastest among the specialists.
By Reid Spencer/Sporting News
