Columbus, OH — The third and final segment of A Day in the Life of Aaron Merriman, presented by Omega Alpha Equine and produced by the U.S. Trotting Association, was released on Monday (Feb. 11). The video series is being done in conjunction with the “Road Warrior” feature written by editor Kim French in the February issue of Hoof Beats magazine.

In addition, previews will appear on the USTA and Harness Racing FanZone’s social media channels.

Hosted by Wendy Ross, shot and produced by Rich Johnston and with photos provided by Mark Hall, the series and feature story highlight a behind-the-scenes look at an average day for Merriman, who travels from Ohio in the morning to The Meadows in Pennsylvania for day racing, then back home to Ohio to drive at Northfield Park at night. The USTA crew spent the day with Merriman on Dec. 3, 2018.

During part three, Merriman and the crew make the return trip to Ohio from The Meadows to Northfield Park, where it was a cold, snowy evening. Among the highlights in the final segment, Merriman talks about the “Merriman rule” and how various weather conditions and post positions at the two tracks impact his driving. In addition, he revisits the seriousness of his accident along with the recuperation, and how sitting on the sidelines gave him a new appreciation for being a driver.

Following this demanding regimen coupled with his successful driving record, Merriman became the first driver ever to record more than 1,000 wins in a season for a second time last year. Tim Tetrick, with the all-time North American record of 1,189 victories in 2007, is the only other driver with more wins in a year than Merriman had in each of the past two years.

His 2018 total of 1,141 trips to the winner’s circle, which made it consecutive 1,000-win seasons (1,095 in 2017) for Merriman, is the second highest in history and allowed him to surpass the $10 million plateau in earnings in a year for the first time in his career.

Merriman, who won the North American dash championship for the fourth consecutive year in 2018, was named the U.S. Harness Writers Association Driver of the Year for the first time and will be presented with that award at the Dan Patch Dinner in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 24.

During his 19-year driving career, the 40-year-old Merriman has won more than 11,000 races, earned more than $72 million in purses and is ranked ninth all-time in driver wins.

To watch part three of the Merriman series, click here.