NASCAR rescinds Johnson team penalties DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 20 (UPI) -- NASCAR Tuesday overturned harsh penalties leveled against driver Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team. Johnson's No. 48 team won a final appeal made to the governing body, which had slapped a six-race suspension on crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec. Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon had also been assessed a 25-point fine in the championship standings after NASCAR determined Johnson's Daytona 500 car was using an unapproved part. But NASCAR Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook rescinded the actions Tuesday, the auto racing body announced. "Upon hearing the testimony, carefully reviewing the facts and historically comparative penalties, the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel was to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR," the sanctioning body said in a statement. Knaus' $100,000 fine remained in place, however, and he and Malec will remain on probation until May 9. "I'm glad this is over," team owner Rick Hendrick said. I appreciate the fact that we had the opportunity to present all the facts. I'm happy with the outcome to see the points reinstated and Chad reinstated.