definitely do the infield, when i go i don't buy grandstand seats, just infield/paddock passes....park in the infield, just be prepared to wait in traffic if you stay offsite to get out.....
my way of doing it is...
sat morning park in the infield and wander around, about an hour before the race walk across the track (it'll be open to cross before the 24 starts, at least it has been in the past), then hang out in the grandstands for the start, it's fun to be so close to all the cars on the first flying lap......then after a bit walk to the tunnel and head back to the infield until after dark settles in....wander the parking lot (there's always awesome special cars hidden in the lot), check out the paddock......head out after dark for dinner.....
get up very early sunday morning and head back to the track, we usually park across the street at the mall so we don't have to pay to park, watch the finish of the race from the grandstands then head out.......
have done the trip many times and that seems to be the easiest on the feet as you'll be walking many miles throughout the weekend.
the rv/camping in the infield is a definite experience to be done once in your life, but if you cant sleep if it's noisy out it may not be a good idea LOL
for food there's a great old school diner on the main strip by the beach north of the ocean center for breakfast (forget it's name)......
for lodging i always stay at "the cove motel", it's on the beach and has always been clean and bug free (iirc about $80/night) and they don't book spring breakers/party types....
Cove Motel, Daytona Beach, FL - Yahoo! Travel
it's about a 1.5-2 miles north if speedway blvd....
if you fly into orlando and want to stay here shoot me a pm for local info.....