Loves speed and energy (5)
I believe the answer is:
oomph
'energy' is the definition.
(oomph can mean energy or excitement)
'loves speed' is the wordplay.
'loves' becomes 'oo' (two O's - 'love' means zero in tennis).
'speed' becomes 'mph' (miles per hour).
'oo'+'mph'='OOMPH'
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for oomph that I've seen before include "Vitality - sex appeal (informal)" , "Exciting energy" , "Ginger" , "Sexy, exciting quality" , "sex-appeal" .)