BRASELTON, Ga. -- The renewal of Tequila Patrón’s presenting sponsorship and the announcement of the 2013 television schedule for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón highlighted today’s annual “State of the Series” address by ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton.

Atherton’s presentation to ALMS stakeholders, marketing partners and media at Road Atlanta preceded Saturday’s 15th running of the 10-hour/1,000-mile Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda – the Series’ season finale.

Tequila Patrón, the ALMS’ presenting sponsor since 2010, will retain its status through the 2013 season before the Series merges with the GRAND-AM Rolex Series as a unified racing body in 2014. Tequila Patrón originally joined ALMS as an official marketing partner in 2009.

“The continuation of Patrón Spirits’ presenting sponsorship of our Series is great news. I want to personally thank Chief Marketing Officer Matt Carroll and President and CEO Ed Brown, for Patrón’s commitment to our Series. This confirms a fifth year of our partnership and ideally positions everyone involved for a long-term future together with the unified series,” Atherton said.

“We are really pleased to extend our partnership as the presenting sponsor of the American Le Mans Series for the 2013 season. Our company’s relationship with the Series is one of outstanding mutual benefit, and it is only fitting that we officially solidify our continuing commitment to being a hand-in-glove partner with such a world-class sports car racing organization,” Carroll said.

The 2013 ALMS also will feature a mix of races on ABC, ESPN2 and SPEED. Eight of its 10 events will air across the ABC and ESPN2 broadcast/cable television platforms. SPEED is set to deliver live coverage of the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, with the same to be confirmed regarding the cable network’s coverage of the Series’ season finale, Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.

For all eight of the ALMS races that will air on ABC or ESPN2, qualifying sessions and race coverage will also stream live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app throughout the U.S., and internationally via ALMS.com.

“The Series’ partnership with ABC and ESPN2 has been a very strong one, and we are delighted to again be able to deliver these superb racing experiences for our fans across ABC and ESPN2’s powerful television and digital media platforms,” Atherton said. “As well, with two-hour television windows not adequately able to provide our fans with the comprehensive coverage they want and expect from our two longest endurance races at Sebring and Road Atlanta, we are pleased to be able to deliver those races on SPEED and ensure stellar exposure opportunities with a superb network devoted exclusively to motorsports.”

Also in his State of the Series presentation, Atherton addressed the ALMS’ continued commitment to providing superb fan engagement experiences; posting growth in its business development enterprises, including increased manufacturer involvement and racing class enhancements; and extending progress in the Series’ global-leading Green Racing initiatives. He also provided a detailed update about leadership and administrative advancements regarding the ALMS/GRAND-AM merger.

The final race of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda. The 1,000-mile/10-hour race from Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 20. ABC's broadcast begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 21. Full, live coverage starts at 11:15 a.m. ET on ESPN3.

The Series' website offers additional content such as live in-car cameras, and timing and scoring for all users around the world. Viewers outside the U.S. can watch Petit Le Mans and all ALMS races live on ALMS.com.

Visit ALMS.com for current and future event information including tickets and area accommodations. Follow the Series on Twitter (#ALMS, #PLM), Facebook and YouTube.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is based on the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. It features multiple classes of purpose-built prototypes and production-based GT cars that race on the same track at the same time. The ALMS holds events annually throughout North America on premier urban street circuits and top permanent natural terrain road courses. The American Le Mans Series has a leadership role in motorsports for the furthering of alternative fuel technology and use. The ALMS was the first motorsports body in the world to embrace an entire suite of alternative energy sources – E10 and E85 cellulosic ethanols, isobutanol, clean diesel and hybrid technologies. For additional information, please visit www.alms.com.

2013 ALMS Schedule (All Times Eastern)

March 16 - Sat.
Sebring International Raceway
Sebring, Fla.
SPEED
Time TBD, Live
April 20 - Sat.
Long Beach Grand Prix Circuit - *
Long Beach, Calif.
ABC
1 p.m., April 21
May 18 - Sat.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, Calif.
ESPN2
10 p.m., May 19
July 6 - Sat.
Lime Rock Park
Lakeville, Conn.
ESPN2
3 p.m., Live
July 21 - Sun.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Bowmanville, Ontario,
Canada
ESPN2
1 p.m., Live
Aug. 11 - Sun.
Road America - #
Elkhart Lake, Wis.
ABC
3 p.m., Live
Aug. 31 - Sat.
Grand Prix of Baltimore Circuit - *
Baltimore, Md.
ABC
Noon, Sept. 1
Sept. 21 - Sat.
Circuit of the Americas - **
Austin, Texas
ESPN2
1 p.m., Sept. 22
Oct. 5 - Sat.
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, Va.
ESPN2
2:30 p.m., Oct. 6
Oct. 19 - Sat.
Road Atlanta
Braselton, Ga.
SPEED
Time TBD, Live - ^
* - Shared weekend with IZOD IndyCar Series
# - Shared weekend with GRAND-AM
** - Shared weekend with FIA WEC
^ - To be confirmed