Western Star Trucks is expanding its Star Nation Experience for 2026, adding a head-to-head operator competition, increasing dealer involvement, and continuing its focus on showcasing the skill behind professional driving as part of a broader push to strengthen driver recruitment.
The fourth annual event is scheduled for June 5 through June 8 in Bend, Oregon, where selected participants will take part in an all-expenses-paid program built around hands-on challenges and team-based competition.
Operator Competition Shifts Toward Precision and Execution
The 2026 event introduces a head-to-head operator showdown designed to highlight precision, control, and decision-making in real working conditions.
Participants will move through off-road scenarios and technical challenges that reflect the demands drivers face on the job, putting a clear focus on execution rather than presentation.
“The people and the equipment working together are what make this industry great,” said Alex Martin-Banzer. “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.”
Experienced Drivers Lead Team-Based Challenges
Two returning participants will serve as team captains for the 2026 event.
Ronald Byrd, a Texas-based operator with 18 years in oilfield operations and a 2025 participant, will lead one team. Jarett Dorman, based in British Columbia with nearly two decades in crane operations and a 2023 participant, will lead the second.
Both will mentor participants through hands-on challenges designed to reflect real operating conditions.
Program Expansion Extends Beyond the Competition
Western Star is continuing its partnership with American Truck Simulator to connect with younger audiences and introduce them to trucking.
Dealer participation is also expanding for 2026, with two dealers attending alongside selected customers, reinforcing the role dealers play in helping drivers spec and maintain equipment.
Applications for the 2026 Star Nation Experience are open through May 1, with selected participants to be notified by May 8. The program is open to CDL Class A holders and members of the American Truck Simulator community in the United States and Canada who are at least 21 years old.
To enter, visit Western Star’s official Star Nation page here.
The expanded format reflects a broader effort to highlight the level of skill required behind the wheel while strengthening connections across the trucking industry.
The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Source: Heavy Duty Trucking
Image Source: Western Star
