The short offseason is a wonderful time for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams, one in which all things seem possible.

Petty Enterprises is winless since 1999, but vice president of operations Robbie Loomis is undaunted.

“To be honest with you, I think we’ll win in the first eight races (of 2008),” Loomis said during the recent Sprint Media Tour in North Carolina.

Toyota’s winless Cup debut last year doesn’t concern two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart, whose Joe Gibbs Racing team, including teammates Denny Hamlin and newcomer Kyle Busch, switched to Toyota from Chevrolet — winner of 26 of the 36 Cup races in 2007.

“It’s not a Toyota issue, it’s just getting a handle on the CoT,” Stewart said, referring to the Car of Tomorrow that will be used for the entire 2008 schedule. “We’ll be fine. I don’t see any reason why we can’t all win races this year.”

Ford managed just seven victories last season, and Dodge had just three, with only one drive —Kurt Busch — in the 12-man Chase. Both expect better results this season.

As does Dale Earnhardt Inc., which lost Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports, leaving Martin Truex Jr., winner of one career Cup race, as its No. 1 driver.

“We know Martin can win and will win races,” DEI operations director John Story said. “We expect him to run in the top five, maybe the top three, and be in the mix for a championship.”

Before the season, optimism runs unbounded.

“Sure, everybody thinks they’re going to win races and compete for a championship at this time of year because nothing has gone wrong yet,” said longtime NASCAR star Rusty Wallace, now a TV commentator for ABC/ESPN.

“Everything changes when the teams get to Daytona and go through the inspection bay and get out on the track for the first time. That’s when reality sets in.”

The truth is, there might be little difference in the results this season.

The Hendrick team, featuring two-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time series champion Jeff Gordon, again will be the outfit to beat.

There’s no saying that the powerhouse team won’t equal or surpass the 18 victories it produced in 2007. So, you might want to listen a little closer to what the Hendrick guys are saying and pay less heed to what others are spouting.

“This organization has set standards that you just have to try and rise above and make improvements,” Gordon said. “We have the ability to have at least as much success as we had last year, so I’m excited about everything heading into the new season.”

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Junior said: “I’m so excited about this year that I’m nervous, which makes me feel like I did when I was a rookie coming into the sport. ... I can’t wait to get the season started, because I’ve got a renewed sense of energy and excitement.”

Johnson, who can become the only driver other than Cale Yarborough (1976-78) to win three straight Cup titles, is confident but is also looking for improvement.

“Since we have won the last two titles, we know that we’ve got the bulls-eye on our back, and that’s really a pretty good thing when you have the team that other people are trying to copy,” Johnson said. “That’s flattering.

Unlike many NASCAR folks with big hopes, Johnson and his teammates are far more likely to fulfill great expectations.