By alley - Aug 4, 2017, 10:40 AM ET

IMSA, Laguna Seca reach three-year extension

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and IMSA have reached an extension to keep the premier North American sports car endurance racing series at the track through 2020.

Announced as part of

IMSA's 2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule unveiling

, the 2018 Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix featuring America's Tire 250 will be held Sept. 7-9, 2018. This year's race weekend is scheduled for Sept. 21-24.

In addition to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the race weekend also includes competition from Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama and Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich Tires.

"Extending our relationship with IMSA ensures more of the great sports car racing that our fans love through at least 2020," said Gill Campbell, MRLS senior vice president of event operations. "There is a great deal to look forward to when the series returns at this year's event on September 21-24, and we are pleased to have a place on the 2018 schedule that was announced today and beyond. We are happy to welcome America's Tire as an Official Partner and title sponsor of the feature race for 2017 and 2018."

For 2017 and 2018, the feature race in the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix will be known as the America's Tire 250. This year, the America's Tire 250 takes place on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 2:05 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and features the Prototype, Prototype Challenge, GT Le Mans and GT Daytona.

IMSA has a storied history at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with IMSA races regularly held in May during the Monterey Triple Crown from 1974 to 1987. IMSA-sanctioned events have run at the track since 1991.