Victory at Loftus Road would have sent Daniel Farke's side five points clear at the top of the Championship but Leeds left themselves with a mountain to climb after going 2-0 down in the first half.
A loose pass from Brenden Aaronson in his own box led to Koki Saito firing the Rs ahead in the 17th minute and terrible defending then allowed Steve Cook to net with a free header after half an hour.
Leeds, though, hit back just before the interval through a Morgan Fox own goal after a Junior Firpo flick and Jayden Bogle drew the Whites level six minutes after the restart.
Both sides then had chances to bag a winner but the contest ended all square and with QPR down to ten men as goalscorer was shown a straight red for a nasty challenge from behind on Dan James.
The draw still sent Leeds three points clear of second-placed Sheffield United but having played a game more.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from an eventful clash at Loftus Road.
13. Largie Ramazani (sub)
N/A - Came on in the final 10 minutes. Got straight at his man and went past him to cross. Nearly cost his team with a poor header that let QPR break. Photo: Aaron Chown
14. Tim Robinson (referee)
7 - Could have dealt with time wasting a little better and added more on at the end of the six but got the cards pretty much spot on. Photo: Dan Mullan