CHARLOTTE, N.C.

NASCAR lifted its suspension of Kurt Busch on Wednesday and ruled the former champion can compete in the title Chase should he qualify.

Busch missed the first three races of the season when NASCAR suspended him over an alleged domestic assault on his ex-girlfriend, but the Delaware attorney general last week declined to charge him for the September incident with Patricia Driscoll.

NASCAR said Busch remains under indefinite probation, but had complied with its reinstatement requirements.

“We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior,” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said when it became clear Busch would not be charged, it “removed a significant impediment” to his reinstatement.

“He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return,” O’Donnell said.

Busch will return to his Stewart-Haas Racing team this weekend at Phoenix.

“We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR’s process for reinstatement,” SHR general manager Joe Custer said. “He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team. With his reinstatement and the conclusion by the Delaware Attorney General to not file charges, our focus is on the future.”

His return was also cleared by Chevrolet, which had suspended its relationship with Busch. SHR is a Chevrolet team, and Jim Campbell, vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, said the manufacturer “will continue to monitor the situation.”

Team co-owner Gene Haas had indicated on Sunday the team’s top concern was Busch’s championship eligibility.

The new Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format introduced last season gives drivers an automatic berth into the 16-driver field with a victory during the regular season. But, a driver must be ranked inside the top 30 in points to use that automatic berth.

Busch currently has no points in the No. 41 Chevrolet, a car Haas pays for out of pocket specifically for Busch.

Busch still must comply with guidelines set by Family Court Commissioner David Jones, who granted the no-contact order for Driscoll that led to his Feb. 20 suspension, two days before the season-opening race at Daytona. Jones wrote in his opinion that he believed there’s real possibility Busch will lash out again and has a propensity to lose control in response to disappointing or frustrating situations involving racing.

Jones ordered Busch to be evaluated to see if there is a “treatable mental health condition.” He also said Busch must follow any suggested treatment plans.

Busch is appealing Jones’ ruling, and NASCAR will allow that to play out.

SAFER barrier for Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daytona International Speedway will install energy-absorbing SAFER barriers to the concrete wall that Kyle Busch hit last month before NASCAR returns in July.

Busch broke his right leg and left foot Feb. 20 when he crashed into a retaining wall that lacked a SAFER barrier.

Daytona president Joie Chitwood said Wednesday the track completed an extensive safety review after Busch’s accident and will make numerous changes before the race in July.

The track also will install SAFER barrier on the outside backstretch wall.

Among the other changes:

— An additional 20,000 square feet of asphalt will be added in Turn 1.

— A portion of the inside retaining wall from infield road course exit to Turn 1 will be realigned, and SAFER barrier will be added to the realigned wall and existing wall.

— SAFER barrier will be installed on the retaining wall at pit road exit.

— SAFER barrier will be installed between the exit of Turn 4 to pit road entry.

Keselowski crew chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR placed crew chief Paul Wolfe on probation for the rest of the 2015 season after NASCAR caught Team Penske pulling out the fenders on Brad Keselowski’s car before qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR penalties announced Tuesday night included a $25,000 fine on crew chief Steve Addington because Justin Allgaier’s car was too light in postrace inspection Sunday.

Wolfe’s penalty was considered a P2 penalty on NASCAR’s scale. Addington’s was a P3. The most severe is a P6.

Keselowski’s car was pulled from the qualifying grid right before Friday’s session began and sent back to inspection because NASCAR said the fenders by the wheel wells had been flared. It was a point of contention last season as NASCAR did not have a specific rule banning the flared sideskirts.

The fine against Addington was because ballast from Allgaier’s car fell out during the race. It caused the car to not meet minimum weight requirements after the race.