Racing Stars Expected at NASCAR Car Wash Grand Opening

Romeoville-area residents can rub elbows with racing stars at the grand opening of one of the first NASCAR-licensed car washes in the country next week.

The recently renamed — and remodeled – , 1255 Normantown Road, will open to fanfare with a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.

Formerly known as the Spotless Express, the car wash has been transformed into a NASCAR-themed business aimed at race fans. In a press release, NASCAR reps said the Romeoville location is among the first to open in North America.

This year’s Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are slated to attend the event, along with Dan Dyer, CEO of NASCAR Car Wash Company.

Steve Timmer, owner of the Romeoville NASCAR Car Wash, got the green flag for the remodeling and rebranding project from village trustees in July. The local businessman also planned to rebrand his other car washes, located in Matteson, Aurora, Joliet and Naperville.

“We’re obviously excited,” Timmer told village trustees this summer. He added officials from the company had studied demographics across the country and found the Romeoville/Joliet areas to be two of the best sites for their NASCAR-themed venture — particularly with the Chicagoland Motor Speedway just a few miles away, and many NASCAR drivers arriving at nearby on race days.

According to NASCAR, with numerous “reflagging” ceremonies and groundbreakings happing over the next few months throughout the Midwest, the company expects to wash 10,000 cars per month at each location and employ about 40 people at each car wash.  

The Romeoville grand opening ceremony is just one of several taking place across the Midwest on Sept. 15. Locations in Joliet and Naperville are slated to open next year.