PORTLAND, Ore. (March 26, 2026) — As the trucking industry works to find solutions for driver shortages, Western Star Trucks is doubling down on a bold mission: celebrating the skill, expertise and pride that define professional trucking to help inspire the next generation who will shape its future. Around the world, operators handle critical jobsite materials, move equipment, and keep communities running, all while managing heavy loads, navigating challenging terrain, and making split-second decisions that keep industries moving safely. Yet the expertise behind the wheel and operating the equipment on the truck at the jobsite is often overlooked. Western Star is working to change that narrative by shining a spotlight on the people who do the job best.

“The people and the equipment working together are what makes this industry great,” said Alex Martin-Banzer, Western Star brand manager. “Star Nation celebrates the operators who take pride in their work, push their trucks further than anyone else, and show what trucking is really about — keeping the world moving. Their passion and dedication show why this industry continues to attract some of the most driven and talented professionals out there.”

 A Program Built to Celebrate Operators 

To support that mission, Western Star created the Star Nation Experience, a flagship recognition program that brings together operators, dealers, and the next generation of truckers to celebrate the pride, grit, and expertise required behind the wheel. The fourth annual experience will take place June 5–8, 2026, in Bend, Oregon, and is an all-expenses-paid event built around competition, camaraderie, and the “Never Back Down” spirit that defines the Western Star community.

For 2026, the experience is evolving to highlight operator skills even further and expand the community that supports the trucking industry. The event will introduce a head-to-head operator showdown, continue its partnership with American Truck Simulator (ATS) to reach a new generation of truckers, and bring Western Star dealers directly into the experience alongside their customers.

Putting Operator Skill on Full Display 

The operator showdown puts that expertise front and center. Western Star knows professional trucking takes more than simply driving from point A to point B. It requires mastery, strategy, and precision. Two returning Star Nation Experience alumni will serve as team captains: Ronald Byrd, a 2025 participant and Texas-based operator who launched his career in the oil industry 18 years ago, and Jarett Dorman, a 2023 participant from British Columbia who began his trucking career at 21 and has spent 18 years operating for a local crane company. Together, they will mentor teams of operators through hands-on challenges and off-road experiences, giving participants the chance to showcase their skill, strategy, and “Never Back Down” mindset that define the best in the business.

At the same time, Western Star is continuing its collaboration with American Truck Simulator, the leading truck-driving simulation game that lets players experience life behind the wheel in a virtual environment, connecting virtual truck enthusiasts with real-world operators and introducing younger audiences to the equipment, culture, and career opportunities in trucking.

Strengthening Dealer and Operator Relationships 

The 2026 experience will bring dealers into the program in a new way, reinforcing the trusted relationships that keep operators on the road. Two dealers will be invited to attend the event and bring a customer who has entered the program, highlighting the role dealers play in helping operators choose the right truck, spec, and solution for the jobs they depend on every day. 

By bringing operators, dealers, and fans together in one place, the Star Nation Experience further strengthens the community that keeps the industry moving.

2026 Star Nation Experience: Fast Facts

• Event Dates: June 5–8, 2026
• Location: Bend, Oregon
• Format: Team-based operator showdown
• Eligibility: Open to operators with an active CDL (Class A) and ATS community members in the U.S. and Canada, over 21 years of age
• Cost: All-expenses-paid for winners 

Ready to Prove You Never Back Down?

Applications for the 2026 Star Nation Experience are open now through May 1, 2026. 
Selected participants will be notified by May 8, 2026. 

For full details on Star Nation and the 2026 Star Nation Experience, visit WesternStar.com/Star-Nation

To enter, visit WesternStar.com/Star-Nation/Star-Nation-Form/ 

About Western Star Trucks 

Western Star Truck Sales Inc., a brand of Daimler Truck North America LLC, is based in Portland, Oregon, and specializes in producing heavy-duty Class 8 vocational trucks. Western Star is the leading manufacturer of purpose-built trucks and is a division of Daimler Truck North America. For more information, go to WesternStarTrucks.com.