2014 Sports Picture Story
First Place: Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Bullfighting is an ancient tradition in Spain. This series chronicles the sport. A bullfighter assistant gives a final hit with a knife to end the killing of a Victoriano del Rio ranch fighting bull during a bullfight in San Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A bull's horn is stained with his own blood as Spanish bullfighter Manuel Escribano performs during a bullfight in Toro, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A Guardiola Fantoni ranch fighting bull runs while a spectator uses a Spanish fan to cover herself from the harsh sun during a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Spanish bullfighter Francisco Gomez wait to do the 'paseillo' or ritual entrance to the arena before a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Spanish bullfighter Jose Tomas stands with his clothing stained with an El Pilar ranch fighting bull's blood during a bullfight in Leon, Spain, Sunday, June 22, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A Guardiola Fantoni ranch fighting bull bleeds during a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Spanish bullfighter Leandro's jacket is stained with bull's blood as he pauses during a bullfight in Toro, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A bullfighter's sword stained with a bull's blood hangs from the barrier during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 7, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A Spanish bullfighter assistant prays in the bullring's chapel before a bullfight in Leon, Spain, Sunday, June 22, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A Dolores Aguirre's ranch fighting bull is dragged out of the bullring after it was killed by a bullfighter during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Tuesday, July 8, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
The heads of four fighting bulls bleed on the slaughterhouse of the bullring after being killed during a bullfight in San Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
First Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Spanish bullfighter Daniel Luque is carried on the shoulders of a supporter as he leaves the bullring through the 'puerta grande' after a bullfight of the San Isidro fair in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, June 5, 2014. To be carried on the shoulders through the 'puerta grande' is an award to extraordinary performances. San Isidro's bullfighting fair is one of the most important in the world.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / Associated Press
Second Place: Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
STORY DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1948, NASCAR continues to be the largest stock car racing organization in the United States. With more than six different racing series and sanctioning thousands of races a year, it's where young drivers get their start and the veterans build their legacies. Side by side on the track at 200MPH, and far from the revving engines, where NASCAR fans revel and introduce their families to the sport - this is a way of life for - not just race car drivers. DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 18: Reverend Dan Petfield of Racing With Jesus Ministries prays with Brennan Newberry, driver of the #24 Qore24 Chevrolet (L) and Daniel Suarez driver of the #6 Sunoco Racing Fuel Toyota (R) before the start of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East UNOH Battle at the Beach race at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 14: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Dow Chevrolet, sits in his car in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 14, 2014 in Brooklyn, Michigan.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 04: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's / Valspar Reserve Chevrolet, leads the field during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, car is inspected at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 27: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2014 in Dover, Delaware.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 04: Fans attend a driver appearance before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 03: Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 ADA Drive to Stop Diabetes presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford, Brian Scott, driver of the #2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet, and Trevor Bayne, driver of the #6 AdvoCare Ford, crash during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 02: Race fans revel on Talladega Boulevard the night before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 400 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: A baby sleeps during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 04: A fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, is seen before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 26: Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, celebrates with his team after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Lilly Diabetes 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Second Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 28: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane with his children Ella and Leo after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 28, 2014 in Dover, Delaware.
Patrick Smith / Freelance
Third Place: Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A flaming fake bull "Toro de fuego" run after revellers during the 2014 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Spanish bullfighter El Juli shout to the a Garcigrande ranch fighting bull as he performs during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, Thursday, July 10, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A reveler wearing a local traditional outfit yawns during the San Fermin procession in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 7, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Revelers watch the image of San Fermin passing bye during the San Fermin procession in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 7, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A Miura ranch fighting bull enters the arena during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 14, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Adolfo Martin fighting bulls and revelers run on Estafeta street during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Sunday, July 13, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A reveler jumps from a fountain after the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2014 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Sunday, July 6, 2014. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Revelers run as Miura fighting bulls fall during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 14, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Revelers fall as a Dolores Aguirre fighting bulls runs during the running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Tuesday, July 8, 2014.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A bullfighter performs with a Dolores Aguirre ranch fighting bull as a worker watches during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Tuesday, July 8, 2014.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
Colombian bullfighter Luis Bolivar is tossed by a Miura ranch fighting bull after he nailed a sword in the back of the bull during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, Monday, July 14, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part in some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press
Third Place - 2014 Sports Picture Story
A dead Dolores Aguirre ranch fighting bull bleeds as butchers work during a bullfight of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls.
Andres Kudacki / Associated Press