Back at Star Nation for a Closer Look at Western Star Trucks and the People Behind Them

Just like this year's coaches, this was not Work Truck’s first trip to Western Star’s Star Nation Experience, and we were happy to be back.

After going boots on the ground at last year’s event, Work Truck returned to Madras, Oregon, for the 2026 experience to see what had changed, reconnect with the operator community, and get another hands-on look at Western Star’s vocational trucks.

Nearly 4,000 people applied to attend this year’s event, where selected drivers, owner-operators, fleet owners, and trucking enthusiasts tested Western Star trucks in real-world-inspired demonstrations. Participants explored the 47X and 49X, experienced safety and durability features, toured cab and sleeper configurations, and even compared life behind the wheel with a full-motion American Truck Simulator setup.

The equipment was a major part of the weekend, but the operators remained the real story. Attendees shared how they use Western Star trucks in oilfield, crane, roll-off, and other demanding vocational applications, along with what comfort, safety, durability, and strong support mean to their businesses.

Watch the full video for an inside look at the 2026 Western Star Star Nation Experience and the community that keeps coming back for more.