He was one of the first Americans to win International standing. Born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1873 he emigrated to the United States at the age of 19. In 1899 Tracy drove a one-cylinder motor bicycle and while cruising down Broadway he saw his first car. Answering and ad one day he presented himself as a mechanic and set about working on his first car for a wealthy patron. Additional clients who needed instruction in the operation and maintenance of these new machines began to come his way. Soon he was racing and in 1904 he entered the first Vanderbilt Cup race. He never made it past the second lap but the following year saw him garner 2nd place in a 100-mile event in of all places Havana, Cuba. Tracy was chosen by the ACA to represent the United States in the Gordon Bennett Race over the Auvergne Circuit but his race ended with a stripped second gear. His racing career ended soon after the 1906 race.