NASCAR grabbed headlines on Tuesday in New York City by achieving a Guinness World Record for the world’s loudest billboard, cementing its flair for spectacle just as the Daytona 500 and the new racing season approach. A memorable Ross Chastain watermelon smash in Times Square punctuated the achievement, adding an extra layer of excitement for racing fans and curious onlookers alike while putting the focus on the now-infamous Ross Chastain watermelon smash moment.
Loudest Billboard Record Shattered in Times Square
The record-breaking event took place in the iconic Times Square, providing a high-profile platform for NASCAR’s latest marketing push. By attaching a replica of its Next Gen engine to an enormous billboard, the organization delivered a thunderous display, drawing a crowd of fans and passersby eager for a taste of NASCAR’s trademark energy. The dramatic feat was followed by Ross Chastain smashing a watermelon, a celebratory act known among fans and tied directly to Chastain’s racing persona.
“This morning in Times Square, @NASCAR set the @GWR for the loudest billboard! 🔊To celebrate, we got a watermelon smash from Ross Chastain! pic.twitter.com/XtNYqeeicp” — Motorsport (@Motorsport)
The event proved effective at stirring anticipation for the new season and attracting fans to NASCAR’s unique blend of audacity and tradition. The attendance of dedicated fans, drawn in by the promise of history and spectacle, contributed to the electric atmosphere of Times Square during the record-setting moment.
NASCAR’s Big Marketing Moves Ahead of Daytona 500
The world record is part of NASCAR’s broader ramp-up to the Daytona 500, which will launch an exciting season this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Just after Super Bowl LX, NASCAR released an emotive new advertisement starring Scott Eastwood, son of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, who embarks on a spirited road trip while delivering an anthem dedicated to the sport’s history and identity.
The advertisement spotlights famous names such as Bubba Wallace and retired Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, featured in a playful homage to the film “Friday.” These appearances, alongside cameos from NASCAR stars and the inclusion of bar builders and bootleggers representing the sport’s historic roots, reinforce NASCAR’s image as an American original founded on grit and grassroots energy.
Eastwood’s narration in the commercial emphasizes the sport’s passion and blue-collar legacy:
“America’s forefathers didn’t throw tea in the harbor so they could sit quietly on rooftops and drink champagne,”
Eastwood narrates.
“They did it so we could be loud. So we could be free. We don’t come from royalty. We come from bootleggers and bar builders. We’re about grit that fights for inches and contact that counts.”
This emotional approach sets NASCAR apart and amplifies excitement for fans and newcomers alike as the Daytona 500 approaches.
The Ad’s Message: NASCAR’s Spirit and Audience Invitation
Scott Eastwood’s voiceover goes further, inviting Americans to experience the raucous energy that defines NASCAR. He describes the sport as unreserved and exhilarating, unapologetically embracing a culture where engines are meant to roar and audiences are free to cheer, shout, and celebrate at full volume.
“This is where you remember what it feels like to feel something,”
Eastwood added. “This is Sunday at full throttle. It’s loud. It’s raw. And it’s a damned good time. This is NASCAR. Our engines don’t whisper. They roar.
“You want perfect turns and polite applause? You know where to find it. But if you want dust and dented fenders and a place to let loose, we’ve got a seat waiting for you. Coolers full. No dress code and no velvet ropes. With your people. Heart racing. Strapped in, screaming your damned lungs out.”
With the ad culminating alongside iconic backdrops like Daytona, the campaign reiterates NASCAR’s commitment to maintaining a daring spirit, one not “made to be tame.” Eastwood closes with a stirring rally:
“This wasn’t made to be tame. It was made to be felt,”
he said.
“This is NASCAR, so America… start your engines!”
What’s Next: A Season Poised for Drama
With Ross Chastain’s watermelon smash and a Guinness World Record as a curtain-raiser, NASCAR sets the stage for a rousing 2026 season. The anticipated Cup Series debut of promising talent Connor Zilisch and the inclusion of countless NASCAR stars suggest that the coming months will hold both surprises and classic showdowns for fans.
As the engines get ready to fire up at the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s latest stunts and campaigns ensure fans—whether from Kansas, Arizona, or right in Times Square—are primed for high drama, passion, and the unmistakable sound of competition returning to America’s tracks.
This morning in Times Square, @NASCAR set the @GWR for the loudest billboard! 🔊
To celebrate, we got a watermelon smash from Ross Chastain! pic.twitter.com/XtNYqeeicp
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) February 10, 2026
