DAYTONA BEACH, FL :: South Carolina Governor Nikki R. Haley welcomed NASCAR champion Anthony Anders to her Columbia, S.C. office recently. The governor issued the invitation so she could personally congratulate Anders on his third consecutive NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state championship.

Anders, 42, of Easley, S.C., also won his first NASCAR Late Model track championship at historic Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway, a half-mile paved oval, last year.

“It’s always a pleasure to see Gov. Haley. It was wonderful. She remembered me from our last visit. It made for a great day,” Anders said of his Feb. 6 visit. He was accompanied to Columbia by Sarah Whitaker of Greenville Pickens Speedway.

Anders previously won the 2012 state and track titles racing at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway. He won his first state championship while racing primarily at Greenville Pickens in 2011, despite missing the track title.

“I never dreamed I’d be congratulated by our governor when we started winning state championships,” Anders said. “It makes you realize what you’ve accomplished.

“Everybody in South Carolina knows about NASCAR racing at Darlington, but Gov. Haley also seemed to know a lot about Greenville Pickens and weekly racing,” Anders said.

Anders believes the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series’ expansion to Anderson (S.C.) Motor Speedway increases his chances for success. Anderson is a .375-mile paved oval that operates on Friday nights. It’s about 30 miles south of Greenville Pickens. The tracks create a two-night circuit. Anders won the Anderson Late Model track championship in 2011.

“I was going to retire this year, but when Anderson joined NASCAR, two track championships and the state and national point races came into play,” Anders said.

He’d already parked his own car, and then joined another team.

Anders joined Hawkins-McCall Racing operated by Randy Hawkins and Lee McCall. The team plans to field two cars, one specifically for each track on the new two-night tour. The move gives Hawkins-McCall a proven champion driver and relieves Anders of car ownership responsibilities. Anders’ successful construction company and tree trimming service keeps him busy.

“These guys have long histories of success,” Anders said of his new team. “I’m looking forward to going racing with them.”