Just as they did last year.

The dominant NASCAR Sprint Cup organization in 2007, Hendrick opened 2008 with similar expectations, plus a media consensus as preseason favorites.

Reigning and two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500 pole while newest teammate and fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the non-points Budweiser Shootout the week prior to the Daytona 500.

Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon last year’s series runner-up, sought his fourth Daytona 500 victory. Casey Mears seemed poised for a breakout year with new crew chief Alan Gustafson, played the dark-horse role.

But only Earnhardt finished inside the top 10 at Daytona — ninth. Suspension problems relegated Gordon to 39th. A late-race spinout put Johnson in 27th. Mears, running in the top five with five laps remaining, finished 36th after hitting an outside wall.

Fast-forward to California, where Hendrick teams hope to duplicate last season’s West Coast panacea — a rebound that followed similarly frustrating results in the 2007 Daytona 500.

Gordon was Hendrick’s highest finisher in last year’s “Great American Race” — 10th. Mears finished 20th. Then-teammate Kyle Busch finished 24th while Johnson finished 39th following an accident.

Here’s the precedent: Seven Chevrolets finished in the top 10 of last year’s Auto Club 500 at California, including three HMS drivers.

Gordon finished second behind winner Matt Kenseth. Johnson finished third and Busch finished ninth. Mears finished 31st

Gordon led the chart in Saturday’s rain shortened final practice. And since points set the field, Jimmie Johnson will again lead from the pole.

As it has all weekend, weather may be the story of the day today. Rain cancelled Friday qualifying, shortened Saturday’s Cup practice and postponed the Nationwide Series race until today.

The forecast for today isn’t exactly encouraging; the National Weather service has issued a flood watch until 2PM PST, that’s 5 PM on the east coast and hour after the race is scheduled to start. The chance for rain is at 90%, although that chance tapers off towards the evening.