The U.S. Harness Writers Association named Sears the 2009 Driver of the Year for campaigning Muscle Hill into harness racing's record books last season. Muscle Hill's stunning 1:50.1

Hambletonian victory helped propel the reinsman to a single-day earnings record of $1,555,674 on August 8, 2009.

Sears surpassed $100 million in career earnings in 2009, ranking him eighth on harness racing's all-time list.

A 42-year-old resident of Secaucus, NJ, Sears won five straight Meadowlands driving titles from 2005-2009.

He currently ranks second behind George Brennan in the standings with 82 victories.

Amy SILVER