Take a lap down memory lane at Thunder Returns III, the annual reunion of former Portsmouth Speedway, this Saturday at Lazy Village Campgrounds and RV Park, 13610 U.S. 52 in West Portsmouth.

It gets underway at 11 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Thunder Returns is a yearly celebration for the fans and drivers of the old Portsmouth Speedway. Although there won’t be racing, the thunder of racing engines returns for a few hours of memories and reflections of the bygone days of the quarter-mile oval.

The highlight of the event is the return of favorite drivers from that era.

“There’s going to be quite a few of the drivers there. (Former Nascar driver) Junior Spencer and Dean Knittel will be there and I think there’s some from Columbus and a couple from Chillicothe,” event chairman Tom Vaughters said. “Then there will be some other drivers from up in Huntington with cars.”

Spectators will be able to see and hear the cars in action.

“What they do is, at the end of the day before everybody leaves, there is usually about eight or 10 race cars there, and they let them go around the track about five or six times,” Vaughters said. “Admission is free, and last year we had a really good crowd.”

There will also be a classic and muscle car cruise-in featuring VARC (Vintage American Race Cars) restored race cars, pictures and memorabilia, as well as food and refreshments, music and prizes.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.