CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR's chief appellate officer has overturned the six-race suspension of five-time championship winning crew chief Chad Knaus.

Chief appellate officer John Middlebrook ruled Tuesday that Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, who also was suspended six races, instead will be on probation through May 9.

The $100,000 fine levied by NASCAR stands.

Last week a three-member appeals committee had upheld the suspensions imposed after the car Knaus presented on opening day of the Daytona 500 failed inspection. NASCAR said the sheet metal between the roof and the side windows had been illegally modified on Jimmie Johnson's car.

Johnson also was docked 25 points, which now will be restored.

Middlebrook retired in 2008 after 49 years with General Motors, and is paid $1 a year by NASCAR to be the chief appellate officer.