Mark Pickens could use a few prayers.

Pickens, who owns MPE Enterprises in Millington, Tenn., the Top Fuel team driven by Clay Millican, was notified Saturday morning that his race shop was under water as a result of severe storms that crossed over the region early Saturday morning.

Millington, a town of 10,433, is presently under a dusk-to-dawn curfew following a series of levee breaks.

“We got 14 inches of rain and in some places in our shop, we are under four feet of water,” Pickens said on Sunday morning at Gateway International Raceway. “In the lowest places, it’s about two feet.”

Mark Pickens could use a few prayers.

Pickens, who owns MPE Enterprises in Millington, Tenn., the Top Fuel team driven by Clay Millican, was notified Saturday morning that his race shop was under water as a result of severe storms that crossed over the region early Saturday morning.

Millington, a town of 10,433, is presently under a dusk-to-dawn curfew following a series of levee breaks.

“We got 14 inches of rain and in some places in our shop, we are under four feet of water,” Pickens said on Sunday morning at Gateway International Raceway. “In the lowest places, it’s about two feet.”

This is another setback for the team which parked last season due to lack of sponsorship. Recently, the team had made significant sponsorship progress and was working towards a return. He’s kept the crew intact for the entire time it’s been parked.

Pickens character and Millington’s pride for the race team inspired the community to pitch in and help.

“We had an army of volunteers show up to help,” said Pickens, voice cracking with emotion. “There were 40 people who showed up unannounced with squeegees, mops and buckets – ready to help. We are looking at a very tough situation right now.”

Pickens is unsure if his team will be able to recoup their losses, citing his flood insurance as “questionable”.

“We definitely could use everyone’s prayers right now,” said Pickens.

Millican traveled back to the shop on Saturday since Pickens is competing in Top Sportsman during this weekend’s NHRA Midwest Nationals. He provided an initial damage estimate to Pickens last evening.

“The clutch room is gone,” Pickens explained. “The trailer took on water and the low sitting stuff is underwater, including much of the wiring. Our machinery, lathes, mills and presses didn’t suffer as much damages as we thought. The engine room was significantly covered in water.”

Pickens believes there is a silver lining in the otherwise dismal situation. First, no one was injured in the flood and secondly the building wasn’t totally damaged.

“There’s always a positive in any situation,” Pickens admitted. “There is one here. We are trusting the Lord in all of this. I know He called us to be out here. With that in mind, I know He will find a way to get us through this.”