By JENNA FRYER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday issued a key victory for two race teams, one owned by Michael Jordan, that further pressures NASCAR to settle the antitrust lawsuit filed against it by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps said last week the series is “trying our hardest” to settle the federal antitrust lawsuit with the two teams suing in the most expansive comments yet from the defendants.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell ruled Tuesday in favor of 23XI, owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Bob Jenkins-owned Front Row, on an argument over the market definition of “premier stock-car racing.” Bell found that NASCAR controls the market and NASCAR’s argument that teams can race in other seri

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