CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The car may look different, but the plan remains the same for Corey Dripps Racing (CDR) in 2004. The team will again race for the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) title. With the addition of "special" events like the Alltel 100, this could be a "tell all" year for CDR.

"We're updating the car we ran at the end of last year, and we are also planning on building a new car," explained driver Corey Dripps. After a successful switch from Dirt Works to Champion Chassis mid-season last year, the AFCO Racing number "31" will again run with the same Champion Chassis to start '04.

"We'll once again run the USMTS series in 2004," said team manager Rick Dripps. "We may have to miss two or three races, but we hope to be in the (USMTS points) hunt." The goal is to improve last year's eighth place finish in USMTS points. "We plan to run both North and South USMTS regions," added Rick Dripps.

"(Todd) Staley has put together a great series to promote modified racing," continued Rick Dripps. "It gives us a chance to travel and make some decent money. Therefore we feel it is in our best interest to support the USMTS series."

The first race of the season is fast approaching for CDR. The team will head to the Longhorn Classic in Greenville, TX Valentine's Weekend. The next weekend will be a USMTS stop at Many Motor Speedway in Many, LA. Then after an off week, the number 31 will slip over to West Plaines, NE March 11th through 13th. March 19th and 20th will be a trip to Mayette, KS for another USMTS points weekend.

The 2004 schedule for CDR is still being finalized and should contain roughly seventy dates. As for local racing in 2004, the team only is running specials in the area. With all of the racing scheduled for CDR in 2004, it will be nice to have a Friday and Saturday night off once in awhile.

"We had a lot of comments on the florescent, orange car we ran three years ago," explained Corey Dripps when asked about the car's look in 2004. "Everyone liked the fact that it was easy to find on the track, so we'll be back with that color in 2004."

The team hopes to have a few pictures and a complete schedule uploaded to CDR's web site soon. To stay up-to-date with Corey Dripps Racing, log onto the team's web site at www.RaceRPM.com/dripps.