AVONDALE, Ariz. — On Friday, a federal judge dismissed a request from two NASCAR teams, including one founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan, seeking to be classified as chartered teams amid an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the stock car racing organization and its chairman, Jim France.

The ruling was issued by federal judge Frank Whitney from the United States District Court of Western North Carolina in Charlotte, coinciding with NASCAR officials delivering their annual “State of the Sport” address at Phoenix Raceway.

This ruling arrived just hours before the Cup Series drivers took to the track for their first practice session of the championship weekend. Tyler Reddick, who races for the Jordan-owned 23XI Racing team, is among the four competitors participating in Sunday’s decisive winner-takes-all event at Phoenix.