AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps said Friday “we are trying our hardest” to settle the federal antitrust lawsuit with the two teams suing the racing series in the most expansive comments yet from the defendants.

Phelps read from a statement that ran over six minutes and took no questions on the litigation between 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Bob Jenkins-owned Front Row Motorsports.

Both sides recently participated in two days of mediation and didn't come to a resolution, but NASCAR had been hoping that continued conversations would lead to a settlement it could announce ahead of Sunday's championship-deciding season finale.

“NASCAR is fully aligned with our race team partners who have submitted declarations hoping to end this litigati

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