A Mark ‘Coot’ Williams Memorial Win At Georgetown Would Mean More Than Money To Ross Robinson

Story By: CHRIS MOORE / GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY – GEORGETOWN, DE – On Thursday, April 15, Georgetown Speedway roars back to life and the Late Models take center stage.

The Mark ‘Coot’ Williams Memorial features the Super Late Models and RUSH Late Models headlining the affair. The Super Late Models will race 26 laps for a $3,026 winners’ share and $260 to take the green.

Williams’ No. 26 will be featured throughout the evening at the Sussex County Speedway.

Georgetown native Ross Robinson will be one of the favorites to win the Super Late Model Memorial event for his cousin ‘Coot’ Williams. Not only was Robinson family of ‘Coot,’ but he also drove the signature No. 26 car for Williams.

“In 2018, when ‘Coot’ was getting really sick, he wanted to keep his mind off things, so he asked me if I wanted to drive his (Vintage) car,” Robinson explained. “We ended up winning the first night in the car. It was awesome.”

Robinson ultimately won every Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Car Club race he entered with the Williams No. 26 car.

“It was the most fun I’ve had in my racing career. Not because we were winning, but because of why we were doing it,” Robinson explained of the 2018 season.

“There were days he couldn’t even walk, but it felt like when we were racing, we were giving him life during his worst days.”

Now, with the 2021 edition of the Mark ‘Coot’ Williams Memorial race upcoming, the First State talent looks forward to the opportunity to honor his cousin.

“Winning this race and having that check on the wall would really mean something to me. It would not even be about the money. I just want to win that race,” Robinson said honestly.

In ‘Coot’ Williams’ racing days, he was one to stay close to home, racing in the Delmarva area with success. While Robinson has branched out in 2021, he still always enjoys racing in his backyard at Georgetown.

“I love racing at Georgetown. It’s close to home for us, all of our sponsors can be there, and Georgetown is one of the only tracks left that my Dad can come watch me race too.”

Also on the card for the ‘Coot’ Williams Memorial race will be the second event on the ‘Battle of the Bay’ mini-series for the Rush Late Models. RUSH Late Models race 30 laps for $3,000 to win and $250 to take the green plus numerous incentives and a paid B-Main.

A $3,000 point fund has been established for the ‘Battle of the Bay’ with $1,000 reserved for the champion.

Joining the Super Late Models and RUSH Late Models on the program are Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers, each with 12-lap features.

For the April 15 event, pit gates open at 4 p.m. Grandstand gates are unlocked at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:20 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7:15 p.m.

Adult admission is $20. Seniors (ages 13-17) and Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $16. Kids (ages 9-12) pay $10 and Children 8 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $40 for those ages 13 and up. Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10 and Children 5 and under pay $2.

The 2020 Mark Williams Memorial and ‘Battle of the Bay’ fell to COVID-19 restrictions.