NASCAR Car Wash Entrepreneur Continues at Full Throttle with the Right Partner Riding Shotgun 

by Tim Fitzpatrick, Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager / Howco Inc. 

 
From Green Flag to Growing Chain 

When entrepreneur Steve Anderson dropped the green flag in 2024 on the second incarnation of his NASCAR Car Wash chain, he didn’t ease into it — he went full throttle. 

In under two years, Anderson's NASCAR-licensed Express Exterior car wash concept has grown into a fledgling multi-site empire rooted in the heart of NASCAR country. The greater Charlotte, NC, metro — home to Charlotte Motor Speedway, more than a dozen NASCAR race team headquarters, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the NC Motorsports Hall of Fame, and multiple NASCAR LLC business entities — is the ideal proving ground for a brand built around speed, precision, and performance. 

This isn't Anderson's first lap around the car wash industry. He previously developed and operated a group of NASCAR-licensed washes in central Florida before selling them to another chain. The entrepreneurial itch never left, however, and he came back with a sharper vision, stronger team, and bolder strategy.  And he partnered with Howco to Plan|Develop|Operate® that vision. 

Building a Regional Footprint, Site by Site 

Anderson's current NASCAR Car Wash sites span one of the Southeast's fastest-growing metropolitan areas: 

• <strong>Mooresville, NC</strong> (2 locations) — also known as Race City, USA 

• <strong>Rock Hill, SC</strong> 

• <strong>Gastonia, NC</strong> 

• <strong>Clover, SC </strong>(coming in Spring 2026) 

All five sites sit within the Charlotte metro area, which recently ranked as the 21st largest metro in the United States and one of the top five fastest-growing cities in the country — giving the brand a built-in runway for continued expansion. 

Equipment Built for Performance: What's Under the Hood 

Howco and the Anderson team took a methodical approach to equipment selection, visiting other wash sites, manufacturers, and trade shows. That due diligence is ongoing, with equipment evaluation and operational adjustments made continuously as the business scales. 

Drying Technology That Goes the Distance 

The two newest NASCAR Car Wash locations upgraded to 150-horsepower blowers. Howco also collaborated with Anderson's team to engineer a custom 15HP Back Blaster, a rear blower specifically designed to tackle the notoriously difficult-to-dry back of SUVs, bringing the drying system to a combined 165HP. 

POS That Creates a Customer Experience, Not Just a Transaction 

Anderson's locations run a POS system featuring an iPad-based customer interaction model reminiscent of the Chick-fil-A service experience. Customers are personally greeted, and the transaction is handled at the car window, creating a premium touchpoint that sets the tone before a vehicle even enters the tunnel. 

Conveyor System: An Innovative First 

The wash tunnels feature an exclusive Glide XD™ flat belt supplied by Howco across all locations. These marked the first flat belt installations in Howco's project portfolio, a milestone reflecting Anderson's willingness to innovate. 

Vacuum Stations Built for the Detail-Minded Customer 

Each location offers 20–24 vacuum stations, featuring: 

• Industry-leading quality and design 

• <strong>Compressed air</strong> for detailed interior cleaning and side mirror encasements 

• <strong>Glass cleaner applicators and cloth towels</strong> 

These premium features are included in the wash price, a value-forward approach that strengthens customer loyalty and reinforces the brand's quality positioning. 

The Development Partnership: What Good Collaboration Looks Like 

Howco first connected with Anderson's team in 2023. The relationship began with us listening — understanding their goals, the brand vision, and the operational priorities that would define each location's success. 

What has made this partnership work isn't just the equipment. It's the process. Anderson's team consistently brings Howco into major decisions at the earliest stages of each new site's development, creating a collaborative model where our advice is sought and acted on. That kind of trust-based working relationship is a significant factor in the consistent quality across all NASCAR Car Wash locations. 

Additional sites are currently in the pipeline, and Howco looks forward to continuing its development partnership as the NASCAR Car Wash brand expands its footprint across the region. 

Key Takeaways for Car Wash Entrepreneurs 

Whether you're launching your first wash or scaling to your fifth, the NASCAR Car Wash story offers a blueprint worth studying: 

1. Do your equipment homework. Site visits, trade shows, manufacturer evaluations, and partnering with the right distributor to guide you will pay off when you're choosing components that need to run for years. 

1. Sweat the customer experience details. From POS touchpoints to vacuum station amenities, premium experiences drive membership and repeat visits. 

1. Choose development partners, not just vendors. The difference between a supplier and a true partner is whether they're invested in your success, not just your purchase order. 

1. Build where the market is growing. Site selection in high-growth, brand-aligned communities accelerates both volume and visibility. 

1. Don't fear a second act. Anderson's return to the car wash industry — with sharper tools and a stronger network — is proof that industry experience compounds over time. 

Howco is a car wash distributor and development partner serving operators across equipment selection, site planning, chemical programming, and ongoing operational support. To learn more about how Howco can support your current or next car wash project and deliver Car Wash Success®, contact our team.