I didn't know they stopped it but yeah there was a reception back when I went in June
The class in May, we had the reception at the Speedway Club restaurant, which overlooks the racetrack. And that evening they were running practice sessions for Nascar, so we watched them running practice laps around the track while dining. It definitely added to the whole experience.
It was a large room that could accommodate a LOT more people than those of us attending the TA (I attended in May). It was a 2-level dining room with a decent sized bar at one end.
I certainly felt like a VIP, eating dinner at the tables against the glass, watching cars practicing at the track.
Dress very light, and drink lots of water. It's going to be hot sitting in those cars. And turn on the cars A/C when not actually going around the track.
Bring a pair of dry underwear, you're going to need them afterwards in that heat.
