PORTLAND, Ore. – (Sept. 11, 2023) – Winners of the Western Star 2023 Star Nation Experience, a special event organized by Western Star, recently came together in Bend, Ore., for a four-day outdoor excursion to celebrate their passion for trucks and the Western Star brand. The event featured unprecedented access to Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) facilities, leadership, and the latest Western Star X-Series lineup in a setting that personified the wild, tough, adventurous characteristics that define Western Star.
The eight winners got a behind-the-scenes look at DTNA’s High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, Ore., touring the testing facility and competing in a driver challenge that put Western Star X-Series trucks through the ultimate tests. The trip also included a trout fly-fishing excursion, ATV adventure, brand photoshoot, appearance by STARSQUATCH (Star Nation’s big foot mascot) and plenty of time to connect as a group of Western Star and trucking enthusiasts.
“Western Star has a tremendous group of customers and operators that love the brand,” said Anthony Pires, marketing communications brand manager, DTNA. “The Star Nation Experience was a way to celebrate this group, their enthusiasm and the ‘never back down’ way of life they bring to work every day. The fun and camaraderie we experienced during this year’s trip left our team inspired and excited to begin planning for next year.”
2023 Star Nation Experience winners included:
· Haleigh Fickett, operator in Maine, U.S.
· Rob Townsend, owner-operator in Idaho, U.S.
· Tatiana Castellanos, operator in N.J., U.S.
· Wes Belanger, owner-operator in Ont., Canada
· Charles Brown, fleet owner in Va., U.S.
· Koree Spinney, operator in Maine, U.S.
· Shawn Moses, operator in S.C., U.S.
· Jarrett Dorman, operator in B.C., Canada
The winners shared their experiences together across their social media channels following the trip’s conclusion. Tatiana Castellanos, operator in N.J., posted on her Instagram: “This day really made us all BOND! We laughed, we played, and we all appreciated what brought us together… the love for trucks. It’s crazy to me how complete strangers can become family so quickly in 3 days!”
On his Instagram, Rob Townsend described the trip: “What an incredible journey. The making of new friends, dare I say ‘family’. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience, a #StarNationExperience, that easily rates up to the top 5 lifetime experiences. I am so proud to have been a part of this. With #WesternStarTrucks motto of #NeverBackDown, I am more than ever confident that my Western Star 49x is up for whatever tasks come our way.”
Details of the 2024 Star Nation Experience will be announced in early 2024.
About Western Star Trucks
Western Star Truck Sales, Inc., headquartered in Portland, Ore., produces tough custom trucks for highway and vocational applications. Western Star is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC. Daimler Truck North America produces and markets Class 5-8 vehicles and is a Daimler company, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.