Joe Tracy & Locomobile

This image 1906 American Elimination Trial winner Joe Tracy in his Bridgeport, Connecticut-built Locomobile appeared in the September 24, 1906 Indianapolis News. Sitting beside Tracy is Al Poole, who served as his riding mechanic and eventually became a respected race driver. The American Elimination Trial was the event that qualified five drivers and cars to compete in the Vanderbilt Cup, the biggest auto race in the United States at the time. It was an international competition that attracted several factory teams from Europe.
 
The original caption to this picture read as follows:
 
"Joe Tracy, Driver, and Al Poole, Machinist, in the Locomobile Racer that Won the Elimination Trial Contest Over the Vanderbilt Course Saturday: The car, one of two exactly alike, was chosen the day before the race, Tracy regarding it as the speedier of the two. Tracy attributes his victory to the excellency of the car, and to the fact that he practiced long and hard for the event, and was familiar with the course. Saturday's time was the fastest he has made over the course, no fast trials having been attempted by him previous to the day of the race."