Theoretical analysis and experiments on bearing race show that a suitable residual compressive stress on roll path of bearing race can prolong its contact fatigue life. However, residual tensile stress is often found on workpiece surface of bearing race. To actively control the residual stress state and improve fatigue life of bearing part, a new method of pre-stress hard cutting is applied. In this paper, the principle of pre-stress hard cutting for bearing race is introduced as well as the experiments on it. In the experiments, residual stress, hardness and roughness of machined surface are measured and analyzed. Moreover, micro-topography and texture characteristics of machined surface are investigated and experimental results are compared with that by grinding. It is found that we can get residual compressive stress and fine quality on machined surface of bearing race by pre-stress hard cutting and increase its productivity as well.