what happened to joe ? why was scott speed driving his car?

I'm sure they offered him a nice enough amount that he couldn't resist. I wouldn't think Front Row Joe of all people would sell out, but I guess in these days where hes pouring his own money into his team/car, you gotta take it.

Red Bull did the right thing though, Speed needs experience at Darlington and missing the race and watching it from the infield or at home isn't the same. They needed him to get in that race, he didn't, so they bought him a ride.

Joe Nemechek needed the money so he put Scott Speed in his car because he did not qualify in his Red Bull car so he needed the experience and might have been able to perform better. Besides Talladega, Joe's best finish all year was 39th. With Speed in the #87 car, it finished 26th. Sounds like he made a good decision to me.

Red Bull gave Joe money to put Scott Speed in his car.

There was some sort of financial arrangement made that allowed Speed to drive the car and gain seat time and driver points with Nemechek getting the owner points. I'm sure Nemechek hated getting out of the car, but his team needs the money so they can run more races.

Michael Waltrip did the same thing in 2006 for the Coca-Cola 600. He bought Derrik Cope's ride with McGlynn Racing.

Because joe hates papis and wanted to watch a rookie (speed) who couldn't qualify take out another rookie (papis) out of the race who actually deserved to be there.

NASCAR found speed in Nemecheks system and suspended him and so Scott drove his car

Boondie is right . He needs money to keep his program running.