DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — It is officially race week in Daytona for the 500 and there are many different story lines from racers leading up to the biggest race of the year.

Take last year's winner Austin Cindric, who says having won the 500 gives him and his team more of an edge for this Sunday.

"I think what I take with me and what my team takes with me is knowing you and your team have the capability to take that moment and do something with it and that is a mentality," said Cindric."It’s something you can use given that opportunity again for sure."

One of NASCAR'S all-time greats Jimmie Johnson, the 7-time NASCAR champion is back in racing in the Daytona 500 looking to add to his hall-of-fame career.

"I wanted to be here for this. There is an energy in marquee events that is unique and special and I also think the type of racing that happens here all though I have been out of these cars for 2 years, the draft can only change so much, the fundamentals are still the same," said Johnson. "Yes the cars are different and yes they behave differently but plate racing is its own animal and I truly feel that I can win on Sunday."

And for the big names of the sport that haven't won the 500, being able to be a part of it and come up as a winner would be a dream come true.

"I have a ton of admiration for winners who have been able to achieve it and what the race as meant to the sport over the years," said Chase Elliott, the runner-up in the 2021 race. "Knowing all those things it would have to be awfully special but until you cross that bridge not a good thing to assume."

"To be able to take home that trophy, I don’t know how that feels like yet but will love to have that chance," said Kyle Busch, the 2019 runner-up. "I've been winning at lot of other tracks for a lot of years and this one is the last box to check."

Tampa native Aric Almirola has won many races at the track, but never the big one. His best finish was in 2017 when he finished 4th.

"I have won a race in the xfinity series, I have won a cup race in July, I’ve won a duel here," said Almirola. "I know where victory lane is but I have yet to do it in the Daytona 500. Getting that would be pretty awesome."

But first, the racers must qualify. Qualifying for the big race will continue Wednesday and Thursday with the 500 starting up Sunday, Feb. 19.