from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Ron Pierce piloted the 8,000th winner of his career on Sunday night (Nov. 6) at Dover Downs when Fouralarmfire won the 12th race, an $8,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares. With the victory, Pierce became the 20th driver in the history of harness racing in North America to reach 8,000 wins.

USTA photo

Ron Pierce won his 8,000th career race on Sunday at Dover.

Pierce won his first race in 1976 at the age of 20. Since moving to New Jersey in the late 1980s, he has consistently been among the driving leaders there and his overall numbers have ranked him with the best in the sport.

In 2004 he finished first in the North American earnings standings with a bankroll of $12,329,238 and was named Driver of the Year by the United States Harness Writers’ Association. In 2006, he won his second money title with a new career high of $14,433,337.

Pierce set a career high in wins in 2006 with 456, a number he could eclipse before the end of 2011. He currently has 428 victories this year, which ranks him tenth among all drivers in North America.

Pierce was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in Goshen in 2005.