That Reaper deal was the embodiment of "be careful what you ask for"; he basically invited himself off the show. I always thought the composite quarter windows were kinda weird, so in retrospect it was obvious, but with the other Days Of Our Street Outlaws stuff distractions, I didn't draw the obvious conclusion.
Nevertheless, I'm still watching the show: it's still fast & unpredictable cars & racing, and some pretty good wisecracks in between the games, which are part & parcel of modern entertainment.