first off... you have to find a quality .25 carwash. most of them aren't so good...

you need to find one with: hot water, flexible wand and great pressure.

once located... i never even need to use a sponge (& never use the brush!)...a good coat of wax helps.

i start with the hot soap... washing the inside of the rims... then the wheel well area (one at a time). this gets me through one cycle. then i move the car up 180 degrees to clean the opposite side of the rims (inside too). i then power wash the underside (front, back & sides). then its time for the painted areas...
i start at the bottom & work my way up (this way you are not diluting the dirt with the soap...this allows for the dirt removal w/o a sponge). once complete... i switch to rinse and work for the top to the bottom... including the underside & rims. once a month or so i clean the engine & hood insulator (just soap & rinse). i do a speed run around the block (major water removal) & towel dry with a quick spray of fine detailer on the rear bumper (for any loose debris).
i let the car sit in my garage overnight for all the dripping areas to dry... and then i do a quick detail on the entire car for the true end result.