LEADING OFF

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Photograph by Michael Voorhees/V3 Motorsports Imagery

TRAGEDY IN THE DESERT Sunday's IndyCar season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was canceled after a fiery 15-car crash on Lap 11. The accident took the life of reigning Indianapolis 500 champ Dan Wheldon (page 56) after his car (leaving the ground, far left) struck the catch fence. Three others, including Pippa Mann (airborne car on fire), were injured in the wreck.

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Photograph by David E. Klutho

THE MAN BEHIND THE MAN Albert Pujols (far left) was typically brilliant in the Cardinals' NLCS defeat of the Brewers, batting .478, slugging .913 and driving in nine runs (page 40). The three-time MVP had plenty of backup, though, courtesy of manager Tony La Russa (10), who made all the right moves with his bullpen (28 total) in the six-game series.

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Photograph by Simon Bruty

FEAR THE TURTLE, DREAD THE TIGER Running back Andre Ellington (center) of No. 8 Clemson plowed for a first-quarter TD against unranked Maryland last Saturday, but the game soon turned into a hair-raising near upset: The Terps led by 14 late into the third quarter before the Tigers rallied for a 56--45 win to go to 7--0 and retain first place in the ACC's Atlantic Division.