Sound Up! NASCAR Sets Guinness Record with 'World's Loudest Billboard'

NASCAR officials and Guinness World Records representatives converged on Times Square in Manhattan on Tuesday morning to officially certify a new record for the 'World's Loudest Billboard' as part of a high-octane 2026 season kickoff. The installation features a 1:1 scale replica of a NASCAR Next Gen engine designed to emit the deafening, visceral roar characteristic of a Cup Series stock car. This marketing activation was strategically placed in the heart of New York City to promote the sport’s brand refresh and generate momentum for the upcoming 68th running of the Daytona 500. Developed in collaboration with the creative agency 72andSunny, production house Guru House, and specialized engine builders from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the billboard serves as the centerpiece for NASCAR's new 'Hell Yeah' campaign. According to Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Chief Brand Officer, the goal of the auditory display is to capture the instinctive energy of the sport and bring it to a mainstream urban audience. The engine replica underwent rigorous technical consultation to ensure it accurately mimicked the mechanical symphony that fans experience at the track, providing a sensory preview of the racing season. The record-breaking stunt coincides with a packed schedule for the 2026 Cup Series, following the recent exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray. The action shifts to Florida this week for the Bluegreen Vacations Duels, which will determine the final starting grid for 'The Great American Race.' These 60-lap qualifying sprints are the final hurdle for drivers before Sunday’s main event, where the stakes are historically high for some of the sport’s top competitors. All eyes are currently on William Byron, the driver who has secured the checkered flag at the Daytona 500 for the past two consecutive years. If Byron manages to navigate the high-speed pack and claim victory this Sunday, he will become the first driver in NASCAR history to achieve a 'three-peat' at the legendary event. The combination of the record-breaking New York display and the potential for history-making performances in Daytona marks one of the most aggressive promotional pushes in the organization's recent history.