The present technology describes various embodiments of systems and methods for maintaining a flat push hot car. In some embodiments, the flat push hot car includes an at least partially enclosed hot box having an interior portion, an exterior portion, a base, and a plurality of sidewalls extending upward from the base. The hot box can be coupled to or integrated with a fluid distribution system. The fluid distribution system can include a spray manifold having one or more inlets configured to release a fluid directed toward the sidewalls of the interior portion so as to provide regional cooling to the hot box.