Pierce Takes Time Off For Surgery

After living and competing with pain in his neck and back for years, driver Ron Pierce will be out of action for the time being to undergo and recover from surgery.

Pierce, the driver of both the U.S. Pacer (Sweet Lou) and Trotter (Shake It Cerry) of the Year in 2014, has surgery scheduled on back and neck over the next week. His doctors have advised him that a second surgery on his neck might be required.

Since the 1980s, doctors have been suggesting surgery on Ron Pierce's neck, stemming from an on-track accident. His back has also incurred its share of injuries, with Pierce apparently having broken it at some point during his career. He doesn't know exactly when, but points to an accident in a race at The Meadowlands in June 2010 that sidelined Richie Silverman for multiple months.

The early prognosis on recovery time is around two months, with Pierce telling Trot Insider that he plans on being back in the bike for the two-year-olds.

Although you wouldn't know it by his resume and success, Pierce notes that the pain has constantly affected him on the track. Even holding onto a potential runaway horse last month at The Meadowlands didn't cause him that much pain, stating that a slip and fall he experienced over the Christmas break was more painful.

At this point, the medical professionals are confident that Pierce can be pain-free post-surgery, something the Hall of Famer will be "so grateful" to put behind him.

Pierce is second all-time in harness racing with purses exceeding $217 million in earnings and more than 9,500 lifetime wins.