Ron Pierce, 60, has not driven since March 7, 2015. He always held out hope he might drive again, but today he’s officially calling it a career. Harness racing’s second leading money driver, with over $215 million to his credit, has announced he is hanging up his red, white and blue colors.

“It was time. I feel great,” Pierce exclusively told Harness Racing Update this week. “When I stopped, I had to have three surgeries in 2014 on my back and neck. Right now, I feel great. I’m better physically than when I was in my 30s. But I found that I enjoy doing other things, and having my time alone.”

Photo: Ron Pierce won more than 9,500 races and over $215 million in his Hall of Fame career. | Claus Andersen