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July 15, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen Takes First Career Pro Motocross Win at Spring Creek MX
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen had a bounce-back ride at Spring Creek MX Park to take the 1-1 overall victory at round 7 of the Pro Motocross Championship. As expected, the conditions were challenging, with lightning delaying the start of Moto 2. Still, Kitchen capitalized on two great starts and came away with the win, which propelled him to second overall in the championship standings. Teammate Ty Masterpool had a nice day overall, including a last to 10th place ride in Moto 2 to claim another top-10 result of eighth overall (8-10).
Kitchen was eager to keep up the momentum he started last weekend after collecting his first moto podium since the third round. He had a positive start following qualifying, earning the second-fastest time. When the gate dropped for the first moto, Kitchen rounded the inside of the first treacherous turn near the front of the pack and settled into second. The track was rough, but he worked to find a good pace, eventually inheriting the lead on lap 3. He had company in the final 10 minutes of the race, but Kitchen held off the charges and brought home his first moto win of the season.
It started raining at the end of the 450 moto, and when lightning showed up in the area, the officials were forced to delay the start of the second moto. After the all clear, Kitchen opted to not take the sighting lap to keep his bike clean and it paid off as he skirted the inside of the first turn and filed into second on the start. He had a tip over in the middle of the race, but that didn't stop his charge to catch the leader, passing for first just over halfway and bringing home the 1-1 and his first overall Pro Motocross victory.
"We've been working really hard to get back to this point," said Kitchen. "It hasn't been easy because when you're not up here, people quickly forget you. But I knew we had it in us to get back to the front, and it feels amazing to get this first overall win as we head into my hometwon race next weekend."
Masterpool was riding an inspired ride last weekend, and while he clocked only a 12th place quickest time, he wasn't worried about his pace for the race. Once again, Masterpool took advantage of agreat start and came around the first turn in the top five. He fell back to seventh on Lap 2 and tried to find good lines, crossing the finsih line in eighth. When the gate dropped for the second moto after a lenghty weather delay, Masterpool once again was quick out of the gate but was taken out on the first turn and got up last in 40th. By the fourth lap, he was inside the top 20 and kept moving forward, ultimately crossing the finish line with an impressive 10th, which gave him eighth overall.
"It was a tough race overall but there was plenty to be thankful for, including getting up after being taken out on the start," said Masterpool. "The two motos were completely different for me as I was doing everything I could to make up position in the second moto. It will be good to head to Washington and go after another podium finish before the break."
250MX Class Overall Results - Spring Creek MX Park
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 1-1
2. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 3-4
3. Casey Cochran, Husqvarna, 9-2
4. Max Anstie, Yamaha, 7-3
5. Dilan Schwartz, Suzuki, 10-6
6. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 12-5
7. Tom Vialle, KTM, 2-17
8. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 8-10
9. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 6-13
10. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 15-8
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 314
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 263
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 260
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 251
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 231
6. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 214
7. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 162
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 159
9. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 149
10. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 147
July 7, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Masterpool Takes Moto 1 Win and Second Overall at Redbud
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ty Masterpool turned up the heat at historic RedBud MX and claimed the Moto 1 win on his way to finish runner-up at round 6 (1-5). The moto victory and podium were his second of the season, all taking place in front of an epic crowd on hand. Teammate Levi Kitchen had a tough start to the day, but bounced back in Moto 2 to claim third which pushed him up to sixth overall with 6-3 moto scores.
The day got off to a great start for the No. 29 of Masterpool who finished morning qualifying in thurd. When the gate dropped for Moto 1, it was the patriotic-adomed KX250 of Masterpool that grabbed the holeshot. He fell back to third in the mix of the first few turns but stayed with the front runners. After a few laps, Masterpool started to make moves and worked his way into second on lap 4. He took the next several laps to reign in the leader and made it by just after halfway. Similar to his last moto win at High Point, Masterpool held off a last lap charge to claim victory once again.
Moto 2 was a bit more challenging for the interim rider, but he continued to show consistency throughout the moto. Starting outside the top-five, the opening laps saw Masterpool charge hard to make it up as high as third. He ran well, although he fell back a few positions near the end of the moto where he finished fifth, placing him second overall on the day.
"It's incredible to be up on the podium at RedBud," said Masterpool. "Just when you think you've seen great crowds like at Hangtown, this one tops them all. I needed the boost from the crowd in Moto 2 after running out of gas a little bit physically. I didn't get to do training camp before the season started and I'm catching up as best as I can. Either way, I'm so thankful for this opportunity and our goal remains the same to put in consistent results."
Kitchen arrived to RedBud ready to roll with a colorful hairdo to match the Fourth of July festivites. He claimed seventh in qulifying and launched out to a solid start in Moto 1 in fifth. Kitchen held steady for half the race before relenting one position, finishing the 30 minutes plus two laps in sixth. Moto 2 was an even better start that put Kitchen third after the first lap. He was riding in fourth for much of the race before regaining third where he would finish. With the points tight for the day's overall, the 6-3 finish placed him sixth.
"We've been struggling a little bit and this was exactly what we needed to build some confidence moving forward," said Kitchen. "We aren't giving up at all and I can't wait to get to Spring Creek to keep this going."
250MX Class Overall Results - RedBud MX
1. Chance Hymas, Honda, 4-1
2. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 1-5
3. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 5-2
4. Tom Vialle, Honda, 3-4
5. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 2-6
. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 6-3
7. Casey Cochran, Husqvarna, 7-9
8. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 13-7
9. Max Anstie, Yamaha, 9-13
10. Mark Fineis, Yamaha, 11-12
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 276
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 239
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 233
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 213
5. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 213
6. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 188
7. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 145
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 138
9. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 124
10. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 120
June 30, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen and Masterpool Collect Top-10 Finishes at Southwick
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen and Ty Masterpool tackled the sands of The Wick 338 for round 5 of the Pro Motocross Championship with both riders earning finishes inside the top 10, with Kitchen going 4-7 for sixth overall and Masterpool 6-8 for eighth overall. The finsihes kept both riders in their respective spots in the championship standings - Kitchen holding fourth and Masterpool in sixth.
Unlike in many years past, the weather was not overly hot, but the track was still coming together during qualifying with Kitchen putting down the fifth-fastest lap during the morning sessions. Kitchen got a good jump out of the moto 1 starting gate and found himself in the top five and settled into fourth. Everyone seemed to settle into their own pace and Kitchen maintained fourth the whole moto. When the gate dropped for Moto 2, it was Kitchen who set the pace on the opening lap, but a red flag stopped his charge at the front. At the restart, Kitchen grabbed the holeshot once again but relented the lead on the next turn. He hept a high pace for much of the moto, but a tip over late in the race pushed him back to seventh with his 4-7 awarding him sixth overall.
"Southwick is always a really physically demanding race and it was no different this weekend," said Kitchen. "I felt like I settled into a good rhythm in the first moto but couldn't match it the second moto. Restarts always throw things off especially if you're out front but that's the nature of racing sometimes. We have a fun one coming up at RedBud and I always look forward to going to that track."
Masterpool entered the round in Massachusetts coming off the race of a lifetime and his goal was to keep up the top results. The interim rider has shown consistency and Round 5 was no different. He started the day sixth in qualfying just behind his teammate and that led to a decent start in Moto 1. He came around the first lap in 10th and steadily moved his way forward, finishing sixth at the end of 30 minutes plus two laps. The second moto restart put Masterpool sixth and while he pushed to keep pace he was eighth when the checkered flag flew, giving him eighth overall.
"The last race was a dream and I honestly still am so thankful for everyone's support of my racing," said Masterpool. "I know Southwick is always tough but the goal was to run two good races and I think for the most part we accomplished that. I know the competition is so tough in this class, and I'm thankful for top-10's but now im ready to jump back into the top five. We'll see what RedBud brings and we'll work hard this week to keep up the intensity over the next few rounds."
250MX Class Overall Results - The Wick 338
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 1-2
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 2-3
3. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 9-1
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 3-5
5. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 5-6
6. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 4-7
7. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 7-4
8. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 6-8
9. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 8-12
10. Casey Cochran, Husqvarna, 11-10
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 238
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 196
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 195
4. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 177
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 174
6. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 146
7. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 133
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 124
9. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 111
10. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 109
June 16, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Earns Extrodrinary Acheivement of 300 Total Wins as a Team
With the most recent triumph by Ty Masterpool at High Point Raceway on Saturday, the illustrious Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki racing team has reached the seemingly impossible milestone of 300 total race wins. This achievment, spanning 24 years and including victories in Supercross, Motocross, and Supermotocross, is a testamnet to the team's unwavering didecation, perseverence, and unparallleled skill in the highly competitive 250 class.
Reflecting on the journey leading to this historic feat, it's imposssible to overlook the pivotal moments and iconic figures shaping the team's legacy. From Brian Swink's groundbreaking win in 1991 at the Orlando, Florida, Supercross in the 125ESX class, which kicked off the team's supremacy, to the unmatched dominance of legends like Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto, who exemplify the team's excellence through the years. Carmichael leads the long list of 39 winning riders with an astounding 38 wins, while Villopoto follows with 30 victories. In addition to these two champions, Adam CianCiarulo (18 wins), Christophe Pourcel (18), Blake Baggett (17), Austin Forkner (14), Dean Wilson (13), Jeremy McGrath (12), Joey Svatagy (12), Jake Weimer (11), Ivan Tedesco (11), and Grant Langston (10) all collected double-digit wins in their careers under Mitch Payton.
Additionally, the team has enjoyed a number of consistent seasons, which is highlighted by their impressive record of double-digit wins in a single season - a list that totals 14 seasons (1991, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019), and counting. The memories from these seasons are extensive, including 14 wins in the team's opening supercross season in 1991, earning all 12 overall motocross wins in 2011, and an impressive 11 out of 12 overall wins in 2007.
The first 100 wins were celebrated following Ivan Tedesco's 125WSX victroy in 2004 in Anaheim, California, while the 200th win was enjoyed after Dean Wilson claimed the win at the Atlanta Supercross in 2011. Now, in 2024, the team marks its achievements of 300 wins with Ty Masterpool etching his name in the team's history books alongside Tedesco and Wilson. On the back of these 300 wins is a team that has collected 31 total championships, a total they're keen to add to now that the 300th milestone has been achieved.
June 16, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Masterpool Earns First Career Win at High Point
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ty Masterpool broke through to earn his first career win and the team's 300th victory. The interim rider has continued to improve each week, with the culmination of the improvement at High Point Raceway with a 2-1 moto score to secure the round 4 victory. Teammate Levi Kitchen showcased his never-give-up spirit after starting outside the top 30 in Moto 1 to return to the top 10, ultimately finishing the day ninth with a 10-9 score.
The Southern Pennsylvania track is usually challenging as it typically sees rain and then heat throughout the Father's Day weekend. Saturday was no exception, as it rained overnight, and the track was continually changing. Masterpool started the day third in qualifying, giving him a good gate pick for the first moto. He capitalized on that, coming around the first turn in the top three, and quickly challeneged for the lead. After a few laps applying pressure on the leader, Masterpool raced his Kawasaki KX250 into first on lap 7 and held on strong for the next seven laps before falling back to second where he finished.
With a good opening moto score secured, Masterpool again got a great start in Moto 2 and filed into fourth with the intensity high. He was in the lead within three laps, but a few mistakes pushed him back to second. Masterpool regrouped and made another charge to claim the lead on lap 12 and hold off pressure until the checkered flag to secure the moto win and overall victory.
"There are few words I have for this moment," said Masterpool. "I've been through a lot these past few years and I have had incredible support around me to keep me going. So after all that, it feels incredible to get the win and something i'll never forget. The team has been so great to get me to this place, working each week to make improvements and it's an awesome bike and team. I'm so thankful"
Kitchen started the day not far off his teammate in fifth during the morning qualifying sessions. He got a decent jump off the gate during the opening moto, but ended up 33rd after the opening lap. Kitchen immediately started to put on a charge and was inside the top 20 by lap 3. He continued to push and made it into the top 10 by lap 12. where he would finish. The second moto start was much better for Kitchen who came around the opening lap 10th. He battled the entire race to make up time, finishing the moto ninth for ninth overall.
"This was definitely not my race and it was more about managing," said Kitchen. "I used up a lot of energy that first race coming through the pack and the track was very challenging in spots. We're going to take this weekend off to regroup and see if we get to find what we need to come out swinging at Southwick."
250MX Class Overall Results - High Point Raceway
1. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 2-1
2. Hayden Deegan, Yamaha, 1-2
3. Chance Hymas, Honda, 4-3
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 2-4
5. Tom Vialle, KTM, 7-5
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 5-10
7. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 5-13
8. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 6-11
9. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 9-9
10. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 9-10
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 191
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 159
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 153
4. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 144
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 136
6. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 116
7. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 116
8. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 109
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 103
10. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 82
June 9, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen and Masterpool Both Inside Top-10 in Colorado
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen and Ty Masterpool earned top-10 finishes at a challenging Round 3 at Thunder Valley MX Park, Finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. Kitchen rode an impressive opening moto to start the day with a podium finish in third, but a tough Moto 2 of seventh pushed him off the overall podium down to fifth. Masterpool began the day as the top qualifier, and decent starts gave way to a season-best seventh overall (8-6).
The weather constantly threatened the activities on Saturday, but the day started with no problems in qualifying. Kitchen, who typically loves the deep ruts of Thunder Valley, didn't find the track in its usual deep state and had to adapt to the conditions, qualifying seventh overall. In Moto 1, Kitchen avoided a first-turn crash and settled into fifth after the first lap. He took his time, and just after the halfway point, Kitchen made two passes in one lap to jump up to third. He put in one of his fastest times of the race late in the moto but couldn't catch the front two and settled for third. The second moto saw him grab another great start in third, but a mistake on lap 3 pushed him down the leaderboard to sixth. Kitchen was passed late in the race to cross the finish line in seventh, placing him fifth overall.
"I love coming up to Thunder Valley and was a little surprised how the ruts weren't as deep as usual, but we made the most of it," said Kitchen. "I know fifth isn't where I want to be, but we're learning every week, and I know our time is coming. I've been thankful to get the good starts and now have to start to capitalize on them. I'm excited to head back east and really see what we can do."
Masterpool has proven he's getting more and more comfortable with his Kawasaki KX250 each week, and he showcased just how comfortable he is by claiming the top qualifying spot to start the day. Like his teammate, he got a great jump out of the gate and avoided the first-turn crash, but he made an early mistake that pushed him back to 11th by the end of the first lap. He used the entire 30 minutes, plus two laps, to push his way forward, eventually finishing eighth. Masterpool grabbed a solid start in Moto 2 in eighth and rode a steady and consistent race to pass up to sixth by the end, claiming his best finish of the season in seventh overall.
"I'm having so much fun getting used to the bike," said Masterpool. "It's been nice to see the results improve each week, which makes me excited as we move forward in the season. I think we can get into the top five, but i'll keep coming into each week thankful for the opportunity and give it my best."
250MX Class Overall Results - Thunder Valley MX Park
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 1-2
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 4-1
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 2-4
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 5-3
5. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 3-7
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 7-5
7. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 8-6
8. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 6-9
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 9-10
10. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 11-11
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 144
2. Chance Hymas, Honda, 121
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 121
4. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 119
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 99
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 93
7. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 84
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 73
9. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 69
10. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 60
June 2, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Earns Back-To-Back Podiums With Third Overall at Hangtown
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen found himself back on the podium at a hot hangtown classic, finishing the day with a 3-3 moto score for third overall. Two great starts contributed to his success and Kitchen remains second in the championship standings, 13 points out of the lead. Ty Masterpool had a great bounce back ride in Northern California, racing to his first top-10 of the season with an eighth-place finish (6-11). Masterpool has moved into 11th in the overall 250MX standings, just two points out of the top-10.
The riders knew they would be up against the heat and a dry, rutted track. In qualifying, Kitchen did his best to get himself comfortable in the challenging conditions, ending the practice sessions 13th. Even with a less desirable gate pick, Kitchen was quick off the gate and rounded the first turn in second. He tried to stay connected with the leader and was always within five seconds, but near the end of the moto, he was passed and brought home a respectable third. Kitchen's second moto start was once again on point as he rounded in third. He made the move into second but was passed for the spot around the halfway point, which kept him with a 3-3 moto score at the end of the day, giving him third overall.
"The track was tough, and I wasn't able to push like I wanted to," said Kitchen. "Every time I tried to turn it up a little, I felt uncomfortable and didn't want to make a mistake that would cost me. We have the whole summer to keep after this championship, so to come out with third feels good for me. We're going to get aggressive this week and go to Colorado with high hopes of a win."
With a full week on the bike compared to the two days at round 1, Masterpool felt more confident than ever lining up with his Kawasaki KX250. It showed in qualifying as he claimed fifth overall to start the day. In the opening moto, he had to work through the pack after a 16th-place start. Masterpool picked off riders and by Lap 8 had made his way into the top 10, but he wasn't done and continued to push forward up to the final lap where he made the pass into sixth - a season best. The confidence gained in Moto 1 showed in Moto 2 as he grabbed a second-place start ahead of his teammate and held the spot for several laps. Using up much of his energy on the start, Masterpool made a few mistakes that pushed him back to 11th at the finish, but the 6-11 gave him his first top-10 result of the season with an 8th overall.
"Today was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot," said Masterpool. "We had a great qualifying but I couldn't get it done on the start of Moto 1 and used a lot of energy to get through the pack. Moto 2 was awesome running with the front guys for a good chunk of the race, but I didn't have a ton left in the tank and I was happy to hold on to 11th. Getting a top 10 with such a stacked class and such limited time on the bike shows how good this team is supporting me to get me where I need to be. I'll keep putting in the work to see if we can do it again next weekend."
250MX Class Overall Results - Hangtown Classic
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 1-2
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 4-1
3. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 3-3
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 2-4
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 7-5
6. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 5-10
7. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 8-8
8. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 6-11
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 9-9
10. Casey Chochran, Husqvarna, 12-12
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 97
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 84
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 81
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 78
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 62
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 61
7. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 55
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 48
9. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 46
10. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 41
11. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 39
May 25, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Starts Pro Motocross Season With Runner-Up Finish
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen proved his speed from Supercross to Pro Motocross as he claimed the runner-up finish at the opening round at Fox Raceway. Along with capturing pole position, Kitchen was a fixture at the front and earned a 2-2 moto result. After being tapped to fill in for the team only one day before, Ty Masterpool had a great overall showing despite the adversity he faced throughout the day, eventually finishing 15th on 24-10 moto scores.
The 2024 Pro Motocross season was an excellent start for the no.47 of Kitchen as he claimed the top qualifying spot in the morning's sessions. This set him up for a great gate pick in Moto 1, and he took full advantage, filling into second place at the start. He took his time to set up a pass, pulling into the lead just after seven minutes of the race. Kitchen held the lead for most of the moto, but after a track marker got stuck in his boot, he had to slow down to pull it out and was passed with only two laps. With no time to gain the difference back, he crossed the line in second.
In the second moto, he got another great start in third and quickly passed into second during the opening lap. He was on pace with the leader, but couldn't find a place to pass before the checkered flag. He settled for second in the moto and second overall on the day.
"Overall, I'm happy getting through the first round healthy and with a solid result," said Kitchen. "Fox Raceway was rough as usual and it was tough to not override the track. It's tough to know what would have happened if I didn't get that track marker stuck, but we'll get back to work this week. Glad to be in good position going into Hangtown."
With just one day on the bike, Masterpool's approach to the weekend was to learn and put in a solid result. He got off to a great start in qualifying, clockimg a time good enough for sixth. Just like his teammate, he got a quick jump out of the gate and was up in the top five, but a mistake on the opening lap pushed him down the leaderboard to 19th. He was in the top 15 when he hit a kicker and went down. Masterpool remounted and gave it a heartfelt effort to cross the finish line in 24th. The second moto was much better for Masterpool who started 12th and kept pushing the full 30 minutes plus two laps to finsih the final moto on a positive note in 10th.
"It was good to start the day qualifying sixth with not much time on the bike and I think we could have had a much better result if I didn't have such a tough Moto 1," said Masterpool. "I'm optimistic for the upcoming races. We learned a lot and I'm going to make the most of this amazing opportunity that has been given to me. We've got another week to fine-tune the bike and I know we'll only get better from here."
250MX Class Overall Results - Fox Raceway
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 1-1
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 2-2
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 4-3
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 3-4
5. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 6-5
6. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 8-6
7. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 11-7
8. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 10-8
9. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 5-13
10. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 9-12
15. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 24-10
250MX Class Points Standings
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 50
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 44
3. Tom Vialle, KTM, 38
4. Chance Hymas, Honda, 38
5. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 33
6. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 30
7. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 26
8. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 26
9. Joey Savatgy, Triumph, 26
10. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 23
15. Ty Masterpool, Kawasaki, 12
May 12, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Wraps Up Second in the Championship at Salt Lake City Finale
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen rode his heart out at the season's final race, finsihing fifth in the main event and second overall in the Western Regional 250SX Championship standings. The fans inside Rice-Eccles Stadium could see how hard Kitchen was trying to come back from a mid-pack start, but ultimately, the slick track hindered forward progress, and he was forced to settle for fifth. Teammate Seth Hammaker had trouble early in the race and came back from 18th to 14th at the end of the race .
The day got underway with qualifying for the respective coasts and Kitchen earned fifth in the West. He wasn't worried about how his pace would translate to the night's racing, which showed when he took the West Heat Race win. When the gate dropped for the main event, Kitchen didn't get a good jump, but still squeezed his way into the top eight. With his championship rival ahead of him, Kitchen knew he had to make up time quickly, but even after moving into sixth by lap 4, the slick conditions were a factor in making the passes he needed. In the end, he finished fifth and second overall in the standings.
"It's easy to be disapointed after being so close to the championship, but I left everything I had out there on the track," said Kitchen. "The start was tricky and I wasn't in a good spot headed into the first turn. It came down to the start. I'm so thankful to the team for doing whatver it took to make this a successful season. The year isn't over, and I'm excited to line up in just two weeks to start up a brand new opportunity to show off what we can do.
Hammaker was the team's sole representation for the Eastern Region and started the day qualifying second for his respective coast. In the heat race Hammaker showed off his speed and crossed the line in third. After a slight delay to the night due to lightning in the area, the gate dropped for the main event and hammaker was in the top 15 but ran into trouble on lap 2, which dropped him back to 18th. He regrouped and, like Kitchen, couldn't push forward like he wanted and eventually crossed the line in 14th.
"That wasn't really how I wanted to end the season," said Hammaker. "I think we've shown good speed this season, and I hope that I can bring it into the outdoors. It's been a decent Supercross season, but now I'm looking to have my best outdoor season yet."
250SX Class East/West Showdown Main Event Results
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda
5. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
6. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha
7. Chance Hymas, Honda
8. Tom Vialle, KTM
9. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
10. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha
250SX Class Western Region Points Standings
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 208
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 203
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 185
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 181
5. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 123
6. Garrett Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 118
8. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 106
9. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha, 105
10. Cole Thompson, Yamaha, 89
250SX Class Eastern Region Points Standings
1. Tom Vialle, KTM, 172
2. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 168
3. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 132
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 131
5. Max Anstie, Honda, 125
6. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 120
7. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 116
8. Chance Hymas, Honda, 116
9. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 111
10. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 95
May 5, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Ties Up Points With Runner-Up Finish in Denver
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen did what he had to do to bring the Western Regional 250SX Championship down to the final round by claiming second place inside Empower Field at Mile High at the penultimate round on Saturday. After wiping out his two-point deficit, he will be in a tie for the lead and hold the red plate heading into Salt Lake City next weekend.
It had been two weeks since Kitchen's tough ride in Nashville, and there was a question if he'd be able to ride to the standard he had been all season. He quickly showed in qualifying he was ready to battle, scoring second overall. Kitchen had to make a few moves in the heat race after getting pinched around the first turn and exiting the second turn in seventh, but by the halfway point, he had placed his Kawasaki KX250 into the runner-up spot, where he would finish.
The start again was going to be crucial, and this time, Kicthen was able to keep it at the front, settling into second. He held a small gap over the leader for most of the race, but as third closed in, Kitchen turned up the speed and started to catch the leader. When the checkered flag flew, Kitchen finished only 0.649 seconds behind the winner, proving he gave it everything he had. In the end, Kitchen earned the two points he needed to put the Western Regional 250SX Championship into a tie for the lead going into the final round next weekend in Salt Lake City.
"It felt great to be back up front after Nashville," said Kitchen. "I knew this race wasn't going to be easy with the altitude as a variable, but we did what we needed to do. In the main, when RJ started closing that lit a fire under me and suddenly I was right on Jo. It would have been an interesting final five minutes if that was a 20-minute race. I'm pumped for the team after all they've done for me this year, and it's going to be an interesting final round next week."
250SX Class Western Regional Main Event Results
1. Jo Shimoda, Honda
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
4. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha
5. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
6. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha
7. Cole Thompson, Yamaha
8. Robbie Wageman, Yamaha
9. Talon Hawkins, KTM
10. Julien Beaumer, KTM
250SX Class Western Region Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 186
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 186
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 165
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 163
5. Garrett Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM 118
7. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 107
8. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 102
9. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha, 93
10. Carson Mumford, Honda, 88
250SX Class Eastern Region Points Standings
1. Tom Vialle, KTM, 158
2. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 143
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 124
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 121
5. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 120
6. Max Anstie, Honda, 119
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 106
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 103
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 101
10. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 87
April 28, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Hammaker Shows Heart in Hometwon Race
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Seth Hammaker rode an incredible comeback race in front of his hometown fans at Lincoln Financial Field, earning a Heat Race win and seventh in the main event. The main event results don't show that he led for half the race before being taken out while running second, remounting to race back to seventh. The result pushed him back into the top 10 in the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.
With the round in Philadelphia being a 3 pm start time, the day started with qualifying in the morning hours, which resulted in Hammaker qualifying second overall and lining up for the opening heat. Hammaker was like a bullet out of a gun when the gate dropped for his heat and took the holeshot, eventually holding off advances to claim his first heat race win of the season. He mimicked the heat race and grabbed the lead early in the main event. Hammaker kept up a good pace and, after leading over half the race, fell back to second on Lap 12. As he was maintaining second, he was landed on from behind in the sand adn went down. He remounted as quickly as possible, but with only three laps to go, he could only make it up to seventh.
"Today didn't end up how we had hoped it would, but we had a lot of high moments," said Hammaker. "I was able to get the heat race win, which was something special for my friends and family, and then lead a lot of laps in the main event. I know we were basically the second fastest today, and I really wish we could have put the team on the podium. I'm thankful to be back racing, so we'll come back swinging at the last race in Salt Lake City.
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Max Anstie, Honda
2. Tom Vialle, KTM
3. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
4. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
5. Chance Hymas, Honda
6. Coty Schock, Yamaha
7. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
9. Preston Boespflug, Suzuki
10. Nick Romano, Yamaha
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Tom Vialle, KTM, 158
2. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 143
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 124
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 121
5. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 120
6. Max Anstie, Honda, 119
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 106
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 103
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 101
10. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 87
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 166
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 164
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 148
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 138
5. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 106
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 96
8. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 89
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 88
10. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha, 77
April 21, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Puts In Valient Effort to Stay in Championship Hunt
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen proved on Saturday night inside Nissan Stadium why he is a contender for the Western Regional 250 Championship after remounting from a first-lap crash and racing to 14th. The effort kept Kitchen in the title fight as he is only two points out of the lead with two races remaining. Cameron McAdoo was taken out in practice, which resulted in an injured shoulder, but still tried to line up for the main event. Unfortunately, a crash on the opening lap forced McAdoo to retire from the evening early, scoring him 22nd. McAdoo is currently third in the Eastern Regional 250SX championship.
Race day started with only two practice sessions after the area was hit with rain on Friday. Kitchen made the most of the shortened track time and qualified third in the Western Region. In the region's heat race, Kitchen's start pushed him outside the top 5, and with some additional mishaps, he made it up to sixth. That didn't give him a great gate pick in the main event, and he rounded the first turn mid-pack.
As he was going into the second turn, he was hit from behind and went down. It took him some time to get back up with the pile-up that it caused, but Kitchen shook it off and focused on picking off as many riders as he could. He was almost a lap down but made it up to 14th, just shy of the 13th spot. His determination helped him collect as many points as possible, now sitting just two points out of the lead.
"This is racing. There are some things you can control and some that you can't. I was banged up when I got back going, but I kept my focus on the job at hand, getting by as many guys as possible. We'll just have to see what happens."
McAdoo's day was thwarted early after a rider ran into him in qaulifying, causing a big get-off for the No. 63. His shoulder was slightly hurt, but he was going to get out there and try for a spot in the main event. He managed to get the final qualifying spot in the Eastern Region's heat race, but like his teammate, he wasn't able to get the best gate pick. He, too, didn't get a great jump and found himself mid-pack and, as he approached the second turn, went down and forced him to retire from the race early.
"I had high hopes coming into Nashville, but it seems that this sport is once again reminding us how quickly things can change," said McAdoo. "I am going to have to see what we're up against this week when we get back home, but I've faced adversity before, and we'll face it again. We have to keep our heads up."
250SX Class East/West Shootout Overall Results
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
2. Jo Shimoda, Honda
3. Tom Vialle, KTM
4. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
5. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
6. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
7. Max Anstie, Honda
8. Chance Hymas, Honda
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM
10. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha
14. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
22. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Tom Vialle, KTM, 136
2. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 123
3. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 120
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 116
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 105
6. Max Anstie, Honda, 94
7. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 89
8. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 88
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 84
10. Henry Miller, 74
11. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 72
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 166
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 164
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 148
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 138
5. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 106
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 96
8. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 89
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 88
10. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha, 77
April 14, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's McAdoo Stretches Points Lead with Fourth Runner-Up Finish of the Season
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo continued his consistent performances with another runner-up finish inside Gillete Stadium to extend his Eastern Regional 250 SX points lead to four points. The red plate holder now has four second-place finishes this season, which has showcased the need for consistency in the highly competitive class. McAdoo's teammmate Seth Hammaker was showing signs of another good night, but a mistake in the main event forced him to retire early, which scored him 22nd on the night.
After an impressive victory a few weeks ago and claiming the points lead, McAdoo was able to show off his red plate for the first time on the track in the front of the fans in northeast. His consistency has proven the most significant factor in making his way to the top of the standings, and once again, McAdoo kept his No. 63 Kawasaki with the front pack. In his heat race, McAdoo had to work a little to get to his second-place finishing position, where he finished just a second behind the winner.
When the gate dropped for the main event, McAdoo didn't get as good of a jump as he was hoping and once again had to work to make it to the front pack but was into second by the fourth lap. The leader and McAdoo were posting similar lap times, and he was able to keep him in his sights but couldn't get close enough for a pass, settling for his fourth second-place finish of the season and extending his points lead to four.
"It's been so much fun riding, and I've really tried to embrace how lucky I am that I get to do this," said McAdoo. "The track had a few tricky spots, so I was really focused on hitting my lines and just trying to keep the leader close. I'm thankful we were able to get a few more points over second because these next few weeks are going to be tough with two shootouts in the next three rounds."
Hammaker's day started with a fourth place in qualifying, and his starts were dialed. In his heat, he got out to a great start in second and held on to third after his teammate got by. Again in the main event, Hammaker put his No. 43 Kawasaki KX250 near the front, coming around the first turn in second but filing back to fourth after they passed the green flag. Unfortunately, Hammaker went down in the whoops and couldn't continue the night, scoring 22nd.
"It's been so much fun riding, and I've really tried to embrace how lucky I am that I get to do this," said Hammaker. "The track had a few tricky spots, so I was really focused on hitting my lines and just trying to keep the leader close. I'm thankful we were able to get a few more points over second because these next few weeks are going to be tough with two shootouts in the next three rounds."
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
3. Tom Vialle, KTM
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas
5. Max Anstie, Honda
6. Coty Schock, Yamaha
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
8. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha
10. Henry Miller, Honda
22. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 120
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 116
3. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 107
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 105
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 95
6. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 86
7. Max Anstie, Honda, 79
8. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 72
9. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 72
10. Chance Hymas, Honda, 70
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 156
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 141
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 130
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 116
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 93
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 90
8. Carson Mumford, Honda, 88
9. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 80
10. Hunter Yoder, Honda, 71
March 31, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Completers Perfect Triple Crown Series with a St. Louis Sweep
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen collected a dominating second Triple Crown win of the year at The Dome at America's Center, sweeping all three main events and stretching his points lead into double digits. With three rounds remaining that include two east/west shootout races, Kitchen added a little breathing room for himself with a 15-point gap over second in the Western Regional 250SX class championship.
The day started well for Kitchen, who earned second overall in qualifying leading into the evening's main events. Once the gate dropped for the first race, Kitchen was all business as he came around the first corner in fourth. In the first lane he was able to move into second and then take over the lead shortly after that. He led every lap from the green flag to the checkered flag.
The second race was similar, with Kitchen getting a good jump out of the gate, and while he didn't get the holeshot, he was fast enough to put his Kawasaki KX250 into the lead to tally another 12 laps led and his second main event win of the night. Holding a good position over his competitors heading into the third main event, Kitchen didn't have to win to score the overall, but the rider out of Washington launched out of the start to grab the holeshot and take a third win on the night. With his dominant night, Kitchen now has tallied 67 laps led this season.
"The triple crowns are all about the start and I was able to nail three great starts to put myself in good position," said Kitchen. "The first race, I made the start work as I wasn't right there but made it work. I had a few moments out there, but it all came together. It will be nice to take a double-digit points lead into the next race in Nashville that's a shootout, knowing those are unpredictable. I do think we can keep the momentum going and come out ready to win."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 1-1-1
2. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 2-3-3
3. Jordan Smith, Yamaha, 3-2-4
4. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 4-4-2
5. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 5-5-6
6. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 9-6-5
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 6-8-7
8. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 7-7-12
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 12-10-9
10. Talon Hawkins, KTM, 10-12-10
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 156
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 141
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 130
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 121
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 116
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 93
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 90
8. Carson Mumford, Honda, 88
9. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 80
10. Hunter Yoder, Honda, 71
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 98
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 96
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 87
4. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 82
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 79
6. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 72
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 71
8. Max Anstie, Honda, 62
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 60
10. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 58
March 24, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Extends Points Lead with Dominant Hometown Win
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen earned his second win of the season in front of his Washington state hometown fans, extending his Western Regional 250SX points lead inside Seattle's Lumen Field. Even without rain falling during the evening, the track was treacherous, and Kitchen's skills in the challenging conditions shined as he crossed the finsih line 21 seconds ahead of the runner-up. He now has an eight-point lead in the championship with four tough rounds remaining.
The native out of southern Washington not only entered the Seattle round with the red plate that he solely secured at the last Western Regional 250SX round six weeks ago, but Kitchen also brought with him the confidence of riding in tough conditions. While it wasn't raining during the race, it had been a wet week leading into the round that left the track capable of extreme ruts.
After qualifying second overall, it was clear from his dominant heat race win that Kitchen was feeling comfortable on a track that so many were't able to ride with the same kind of ease. When the gate dropped for the main event, Kitchen secured his second holeshot of the season and never looked back. He had opened the lead to over 10 seconds, and when the rider in second crashed, Kitchen had a comfortable 20+ second lead to ride safely home to the checkered flag. The win gained him valuable points, boosting his lead to eight points over second.
"It's been a long time coming to have a night turn out like this, and it feels great," said Kitchen. "That was a really tough track, and I just felt good, like myself. I did get frustrated a few times when I made some mistakes, but I just had to tell myself to stay with it. That kind of track needed patience and to not override, so I'm thankful I got the good start and was able to focus on hitting my lines and keeping the Kawasaki at the front. It's nice to get a little bit of room in the points, but we have some tough racing ahead with the triple crown and shootouts, so we'll keep our focus during the week and come back strong next weekend."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
3. Jo Shimoda, Honda
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha
5. Carson Mumford, Honda
6. Michael Mosiman, Yamaha
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM
8. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki
9. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha
10. Cole Thompson, Yamaha
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 131
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 123
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 110
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 105
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 94
6. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 79
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 78
8. Carson Mumford, Honda, 75
9. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
10. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 63
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 98
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 96
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 87
4. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 82
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 79
6. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 72
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 71
8. Max Anstie, Honda, 62
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 60
10. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 58
March 17, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's McAdoo Claims Triple Crown Win in Indianapolis
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo continued the team's Triple Crown win streak by claiming the overall victory inside Lucas Oil Stadium which helped propel him into a two-point championship lead in the Eastern Regional 250SX standings. The round was about consistency in Indianapolis, and McAdoo was able to stay out of trouble to finish with 1-2-3 main event scores. Teammate Seth Hammaker started well with a third place in Race 1 but had to overcome some mistakes to place his KX250 inside the top 10 in ninth overall (3-14-9). Hammaker remained sixth overall in the standings.
The second triple crown of the season was the first and only for the Eastern Region, and McAdoo entered the race with confidence as a previous winner in the unique three main-event format. When the Race 1 gate dropped, McAdoo found himself at the front and quickly made the pass for the lead after only one lap, racing to the checkered flag for the lead.
The second race was intense from the start, with McAdoo and Hammaker in the top five and moving forward. McAdoo was able to move into second after Hammaker went down, and he held a good pace until the finish, claiming the runner-up spot in Race 2. It all came down to the final race as he and another rider were tied for the lead. McAdoo raced to the first turn and avoided a crash, coming out in fourth. He moved up to third after two laps and, with his biggest competition behind him, rode smart and brought home his first win of the season on a Race 3 third-place finish.
"This win feels incredible," said McAdoo. "All season I've been trying to have a grateful attitude, knowing I'm in a great position to be healthy and on the podium. But this win is amazing. I have such a great support system behind me, from my wife to family to the team, that has stuck with me through the highs and lows. I don't take for granted having the red plate, and it will be nice to be able to leave on this good finish as we head into the break."
The night started well for the two-time podium finisher Hammaker, who claimed third in the opening race, but it didn't come easy. A mistake early on saw him running outside the top 10, but he didn't quit and made it through the pack to claim the final podium spot in Race 1.
Hammaker had a great start to Race 2 in third and was closing in on second when he went down in a rhythm section. He quickly was back up but couldn't race as hard as before, taking 14th in the second main event. The night's final race was pivotal for many as it included the only first-turn crash, which caused Hammaker not to gain as much ground at the start. He came around 16th after the first lap and once again used his grit and determination to climb the leaderboard and made it inside the top 10 in ninth, finishing the night ninth overall.
"Triple crowns are fun, but one mistake and it can cost you," said Hammaker. "I made my own mistakes and was caught up in others, so the night was tough overall for me. I felt good in that first race, but the mistake in the second race really set me up for a tough rest of the night. It was good to still bring home a top-10, but after getting on the podium the past two weekends, that's where I know I need to be. We'll take some time to get back up to pace over the break and come out swinging in Foxborough."
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 1-2-3
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 4-3-1
3. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 2-1-6
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 12-4-2
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 5-8-8
6. Nick Romano, Yamaha, 8-10-5
7. Jeremy Martin, Yamaha, 7-9-7
8. Chance Hymas, Honda, 9-5-11
9. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 3-14-9
10. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 11-15-4
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 98
2. Tom Vialle, KTM, 96
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 87
4. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 82
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 79
6. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 72
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 71
8. Max Anstie, Honda, 62
9. Chance Hymas, Honda, 60
10. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 58
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 106
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 101
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 87
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 74
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 65
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 63
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 58
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 56
March 10, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's McAdoo and Hammaker Earn Back-to-Back Double Podium in Birmingham
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker both returned to the podium with a back-to-back double podium at the Monster Energy Supercross' first trip to Protective Stadium. McAdoo's runner-up spot kept him within one point of the points leader, while Hammaker finished third and moved into sixth in the standings.
It was fun to be in a new stadium, but the weather proved challenging as the area was drenched in the days leading into the round. McAdoo found his rhythm late in the qualifying sessions, finishing second overall. He avoided some drama in the opening heat, finishing second. At the start of the main event, McAdoo was in the top five but quickly found himself in second, where he would maintain and ride home to the checkered flag for the third-straight race. His three consecutive runner-up finishes have helped him stay close in the standings as he remains only one point of the championship lead.
"It's been a great couple of weeks," said McAdoo. "We've been able to bounce back from that first round, and we are taking it round-by-round. I'd love to get a win, but we're looking at the long-term goal of a championship, so I have to be patient. The triple crown will be interesting next round."
Hammaker was on the top of the charts during the opening qualifying session and eventually came around to qualify fourth overall. He had a good jump in the heat race but went down in the first turn, forcing him to the LCQ. He gained a win in the LCQ, where he saw the success of the outside gate pick. Hammaker tried the same outside gate pick in the main event, and it worked, earning a fifth-place start. He made it up to fourth by Lap 5 and was patient to let third come to him by Lap 9. Hammaker was strong and held off advances from behind to claim his second podium this season.
"It's such a great feeling to be up here after starting the night on the ground," said Hammaker. "I am thankful to get another podium. This track was tough, but we got it done I know I'm not super close in the championship, but we'll take it one race at a time and hopefully get up here again next week."
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Tom Vialle, KTM
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
3. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
4. Pierce Brown, GasGas
5. Jeremy Martin, Yamaha
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
8. Coty Schock, Yamaha
9. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
10. Chance Hymas, Honda
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Tom Vialle, KTM, 74
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 73
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 69
4. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 62
5. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 62
6. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 59
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 59
8. Max Anstie, Honda, 53
9. Henry Miller, Honda, 48
10. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 47
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 106
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 101
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 87
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 74
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 65
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 63
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 58
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 56
March 3, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's McAdoo and Hammaker Make it a Daytona Double Podium
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker turned their greaet starts into a second and third place result, respectively, in front of a sold-out crowd at Daytona International Speedway. McAdoo's consistent results in the past two rounds have pushed him within one point of the Eastern Regional 250SX championship lead, while Hammaker has moved into eighth overall in the standings.
The day started with some rain that returned before the final qualifying practice, making the track extremely soft and challenging. McAdoo qualified second overall and took that speed into the heat race, where he took his third-straight heat race win. McAdoo elected to not go out for the parade lap to keep his bike clean before the main event, and it worked out well as he nearly earned the holeshot and took over the early lead on the opening lap. He held off pressure from attacks and was riding well, but a few mistakes during the middle section of the race caused him to fall back to second after four laps. McAdoo focused on hitting his lines and maintained second to the end, helping propel him to second in the standings, just one point back of the lead.
"The track was constantly evolving, and it ended up being patient," said McAdoo. "I think I ran out of some of that patience, which might have cost me, but we're back on the podium, and after the first round, we want to be as consistent as possible. The win will come. I love racing in front of the Daytona fans, and we'll see what energy the Birmingham fans can bring next week. I'm ready for more."
The trip to Daytona International Speedway was only the second of Hammaker's professional career, and he proved up to the challenge of the unique and tricky track. Hammaker learned the track again during practice and earned fifth during the wet qualifying sessions. He lined up for his heat and got a great start, battling through a few riders to finish third. At the beginning of the main event, Hammaker filed right in behind his teammate and was second on the opening lap. He was passed on Lap 2 but held off pressure from behind toward the end of the race to secure his first podium of the season.
"I'm stoked on that ride," said Hammaker. "It was a really tough track, and it felt nice to hit my lines consistently. It's been a while since I've been up on the podium, and it feels great. We'll keep working to hopefully get back up here again."
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Tom Vialle, KTM
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
3. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
4. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
5. Pierce Brown, GasGas
6. Coty Schock, Yamaha
7. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
8. Max Anstie, Honda
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha
10. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Max Anstie, Honda, 52
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 51
3. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 51
4. Tom Vialle, KTM, 49
5. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 49
6. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 48
7. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 44
8. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 39
9. Henry Miller, Honda, 37
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha, 35
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 106
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 101
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 87
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 74
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 65
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 63
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 58
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 56
February 25, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's McAdoo Claims Season First Podium Finish in Arlington
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo earned his first podium of the season as the runner-up finisher inside AT&T Stadium. The second place pushed him up to sixth in the points standings and a boost in cofidence after a tough opening round. Teammate Seth Hammaker also had a great start to earn fourth in the main event following his pole position in qualifying. Austin Forkner entered the weekend with the red plate and, after taking the heat-race win, was running well and leading the main event but went down and was credited with 20th for the night.
The military appreciation round was extra special for McAdoo, who was able to highlight the hard work of his sister in the Navy. He had her in mind throughout the day, and the podium was extra special. McAdoo's qualifying wasn't anything to write home about, but the track was challenging and he was getting his KX250 dialed. It all came together in the heat race when he scored his second consecutive heat-race win.
When the gate dropped for the main event, McAdoo found himself in fourth and pushing every lap. He got by his teammate after six laps and didn't stop moving to the front, eventually crossing the finish line in second.
"I felt like I needed to be extra patient tonight with this track," said McAdoo. "I was a little banged up from a pre-season injury and again after Round 1, so I was trying to be more methodical about the day. It meant a lot for me to acknowledge my sister so much during this round, and she's always pushed me to be the best I could possibly be on the track. This one was for her, and I'm really happy at how close the points are as we head to Daytona."
The day started out spectacular for Hammaker with the fastest qualifier through all afternoon sessions. He was confident in his heat race and earned third. With the track very technical and deteriorating, a start was critical, and Hammaker found himself in third in the main event after the opening lap. He was able to hold off his teammate for several laps but succumbed and rode well in fourth for the remainder of the main event, less than two seconds off the podium.
"The track was very tough, and I was trying to keep my mistakes to a minimum as much as possible," said Hammaker. "To come away with a fourth after having such a disappointing first round was a step in the right direction. I really want to challenge not only for the podium but for a win, and I think we can get there this season. We'll see what happens next week in a different atmosphere in Daytona."
Forkner had a great start to the day as he qualified just behind his teammate in second during afternoon sessions. He used that same speed to come through the field in his heat to take his second heat-race win. Knowing his start would be crucial, Forkner once again enjoyed and event-free race, but with just over three minutes to go, Forkner was ejected in a tough rhythm section and could not return to the race, scoring 20th. He will seek further evaluation this week before determining a return date.
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha
2. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
3. Tom Vialle, KTM
4. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
5. Pierce Brown, GasGas
6. Max Anstie, Honda
7. Chance Hymas, Honda
8. Coty Schock, Yamaha
9. Guilen Farres, Husqvarna
10. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Max Anstie, Honda, 38
2. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 34
3. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 32
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 32
5. Haiden Deegan, Yamaha, 31
6. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 29
7. Austin Forkner, Kawasaki, 27
8. Chance Hymas, Honda, 27
9. Guilen Farres, Husqvarna, 27
10. Henry Miller, Honda, 27
13. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 19
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 106
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 101
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 87
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 74
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 65
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 63
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 58
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 56
February 11, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Secures Solo Red Plate with Runner-Up Finish in Glendale
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen will keep the red plate adorned to his No. 47 KX250 after racing to a runner-up finish at Round 5 of the Western Regional 250SX championship inside State Farm Stadium. Kitchen's memorable day also included a heat race win and the main event holeshot, culminating in his second-place finish that resulted in a four-point lead heading into the six-week Western Regional break.
The weather might have been threatening outside, but Kitchen quickly found his pace on the longer track inside the closed-roof stadium. In qualifying, Kitchen took second overall and lined up for Heat 1. He had his start dialed and led the heat race wire-to-wire, earning his second heat race win of the season.
While things went decently smoothly for most of the day, the main event was eventful. Kitchen grabbed his first holeshot of the season and led the field for the first two laps. He was passed on Lap 3 and made a few mistakes that pushed him back to third. Kitchen was gifted second and raced hard to hold off third but nearly was landed on a few laps later in a section with a downed rider. Thankfully, Kitchen kept it on two wheels and rode his KX250 home to second place. His finish helped take solo control of the points lead at the season's halfway point.
"I'm glad we walked away healthy from this one, and I'm so stoked to go into the long break with the red plate," said Kitchen. "When I saw the flashing yellow, I wasn't sure if I could jump and errored on the side of caution. I didn't want to get docked any points with a points battle this close. I'm thankful to put together some good races for the team. I wouldn't have been able to do it without all the support behind me. We're going to keep up the intensity over the break and cheer on my teammates in the east."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
3. Jo Shimoda, Honda
4. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
5. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM
8. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha
9. Robbie Wageman, Yamaha
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 106
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 102
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 101
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 87
5. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 74
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 67
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 65
8. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 63
9. Carson Mumford, Honda, 58
10. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 56
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Austin Forkner, Kawasaki, 25
2. Max Anstie, Honda, 22
3. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 20
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 18
5. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 17
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 16
7. Henry Miller, Honda, 15
8. Guillen Farres, Husqvarna, 14
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha, 12
10. Chance Hymas, Honda, 11
15. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 7
21. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 1
February 4, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Forkner Kicks Off Season with 13th Career Supercross Victory
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Austin Forkner claimed his 13th-career supercross victory at the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX class at Ford Field in Detroit. The win gives the team back-to-back victories (Kitchen, Anaheim 2) and red number plates in both regions after five rounds. Teammates Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker were involved in a first-turn crash during the main event that hindered their opening round, with McAdoo ending the night in 15th while Hammaker was credited with 21st.
The win for Forkner in Detroit was a long time coming after being sidelined at the opening round last year. Saturday night was a different opening round story for Forkner, who started the day qualifying third. He looked confident as he led every lap of his heat race and readied to make it count in the main event. Forkner was able to get a great start and avoid a huge first-turn crash, launching to the lead, where he held on for a wire-to-wire victory.
"It's such a great feeling to get the win," said Forkner. "Last year at the opening round, I was laying on the ground, and my supercross season was over. I worked really hard to get back up to speed and I am very thankful to everyone who has stuck behind me. It feels great to give them a win and the team its second win in two weeks."
The qualifying times were extremely close, which pushed McAdoo down the charts to the 12th spot. That didn't deter him once the gate dropped for his heat race as McAdoo chased down the leader to claim the opening heat race victory. He had a good jump at the start of the main event but was collected in the first-turn pile-up. It took some time for McAdoo to get going again, but he remounted one lap down and, even with a rip in his gear, pressed on and tried to gain as many points as possible. When the checkered flag flew, he had earned a 15th-place finish.
"The day was going great until that first turn crash," said McAdoo. "Even though I wasn't that high on the qualifying sheets, I felt good and I think that showed in the heat race. It was really nice to get that win. I just wish I had been able to challenge for the lead, but instead, we were fighting to make up as many points as possible after the first turn crash. We've got some time to regroup before Arlington, so I'm thankful for that."
Hammaker started the day looking fast and earned the fifth-fastest time during the qualifying sessions. He had a solid heat race where he finished fourth and was ready to make the most of the first main event of the season. Unfortunately, Hammaker wasn't able to showcase his speed as he was hit on the start straight, sending him to the ground. His bike was in bad shape, and he couldn't return, scoring 21st in the final results on the night.
"It was a decent day to start, but I'm really disappointed how it finished," said Hammaker. "I know that's racing, but I really wish I could have been out there with the guys earning some points. We have to put this behind us and focus on the future races. I'm ready for Arlington to be here, but we'll keep putting in the work the next few weeks to come back stronger."
250SX Class Eastern Overall Results
1. Austin Forkner, Kawasaki
2. Max Anstie, Honda
3. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha
5. Pierce Brown, GasGas
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph
7. Henry Miller, Honda
8. Guillen Farres, Husqvarna
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha
10. Chance Hymas, Honda
15. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki
21. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki
250SX Class Eastern Points Standings
1. Austin Forkner, Kawasaki, 25
2. Max Anstie, Honda, 22
3. Daxton Bennick, Yamaha, 20
4. Coty Schock, Yamaha, 18
5. Pierce Brown, GasGas, 17
6. Jalek Swoll, Triumph, 16
7. Henry Miller, Honda, 15
8. Guillen Farres, Husqvarna, 14
9. Marshal Weltin, Yamaha, 12
10. Chance Hymas, Honda, 11
15. Cameron McAdoo, Kawasaki, 7
21. Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki, 1
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 84
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 84
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 76
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 70
5. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 55
6. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 54
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 51
8. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 50
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 48
10. Carson Mumford, Honda, 47
18. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki, 20
January 28, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Demonstrates Consistency to Win Anaheim 2
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen put another Anaheim 2 win onto his resume thanks to great starts and consistent race scores during the first Triple Crown format of the season at Angel Stadium. The victory also propelled Kitchen into a tie for the lead in the Western Regional 250SX championship standings after four rounds.
The riders enjoyed the first day race since the opening round at the same venue, but were challenged with a new race format of three main events. As the sole representation for the team with Vohland on the sidelines, Kitchen immediately rose to the challenge and found himself second overall during the afternoon qualifying practises. That speed translated to the first main event as he launched out and took over the lead, winning the opening race wire-to-wire.
The second main event saw Kitchen execute another strong start and found himself in third. He stayed with the front pack and was able to get by for second, where he finished. The third main event was more of the same, with Kitchen taking the coveted final holeshot and filing into second. He stayed on the leader but knew he didn't need to make the pass to get the overall, so he kept up pace before finishing third in the final race to give him his second career supercross victory and move into a tie for the championship lead.
"The triple crown format is always a crazy night," said Kitchen. "You really have to be consistent and then in that final race know where you need to be in order to finish the overall. I knew I was in a good spot and tried to ride smart, but I made a few mistakes towards the end. It worked out, and I'm really happy to be able to give this win to the team. They have worked really hard and we'll keep at it to come back strong in two weeks in Glendale."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 1-2-3
2. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 2-1-7
3. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 3-10-1
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 9-3-2
5. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 4-8-4
6. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 8-6-8
7. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 12-5-6
8. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 5-7-12
9. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 6-16-5
10. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha, 7-4-18
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 84
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 84
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 76
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 70
5. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 55
6. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 54
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 51
8. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha, 50
9. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 48
10. Carson Mumford, Honda, 47
18. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki, 20
January 21, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Retains Second Overall in San Diego with Top-Five Finish
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen showcased his speed throughout a rainy day at Snapdragon Stadium, winning his heat race and nearly taking the lead in the main event before finishing a solid fifth place. His determination after tipping over in the main event helped him keep second place in the championship standings. Teammate Maximus Vohland sat out the round in San Diego after suffering an injury leading into the season's third race.
For the second straight week, rain threatened the round in California, but after a solid showing in San Francisco, the team was up for the challenge. Kitchen only had one round of qualifying to put in a fast time, with the second session being canceled, finishing eighth. During his heat race, he was running well, but a red flag caused a complete restart. This benefited Kitchen, who quickly took over the lead and grabbed his first heat race win of the season.
In the main event, Kitchen got a good jump again, slotting in around sixth after the first turn. After a rider went down and broke up thr pack, Kitchen pushed his way up to second and was righton the leader after the first full lap was completed. He looked faster in several sections, but Kitchen couldn't make a pass. After about five minutes, he tried a different line but didn't get the drive he needed out of a corner and went down. Kitchen quickly got up in sixth and worked the remainder of the race to stay close to make up position, eventually crossing the finish line in fifth.
"I hate it for the team to have gone down like that because they worked so hard to get me a great bike for the conditions today," said Kitchen. "I really was trying to take my time but also try different lines and it bit me. I know we were better than a fifth, but I'm feeling really good and can't wait to see what we can do in dry conditions next weekend."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. Nate Thrasher, Yamaha
2. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha
3. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda
5. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
6. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda
8. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas
9. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki
10. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 67
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 59
3. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 57
4. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 54
5. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 41
6. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 39
7. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 36
8. Carson Mumford, Honda, 36
9. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 36
10. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 33
15. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki, 20
January 14, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Keeps Podium Streak Alive in Sloppy San Francisco
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen survived the downpour that drenched Oracle Stadium on Saturday night, collecting his second-straight podium finish with a runner-up finish. The ride pushed him up to second in the Western Regional 250SX point standings. The rain was consistent throughout the day but only worsened as the night progressed, leaving the track as a test of survival. Unfortunately, Maximus Vohland was one of many riders on the sidelines early in the main event, finishing on the scorecard 19th.
The day started with only one qualifying due to the conditions, putting Kitchen ninth. The rider from the damp Pacific Northwest looked comfortable on the track and finished heat third, giving him a good gate pick for the main event. Once the gate dropped for the main, the skies opened up even more and it was all about survival. Kitchen got a good jump but played it smart and funneled into sixth. Several riders were unable to get past the first few laps, and that propelled Kitchen to second, where he settled in, without recognizing the rider in his sights was in the lead. When he realized it, Kitchen picked up the pace, but time ran out, and he enjoyed a hard-fought second-place finish.
"It was really all about survival out there," said Kitchen. "I had a blast, and once you found a good pace that felt comfortable, it was fun. I didn't realize that Jordon was the leader, and once I saw it on the big screen, I picked up the pace and tried to reel him in. I just didn't have enough time. I'm thankful to be in a good place right now with two podium finished and hope to keep it going next week."
Like the rest of the field, Vohland had only one practice to hone in the track before the night show, finishing qualifying in the 11th. He lined up in the same heat as his teammate, and both were really close to each other, with Vohland finishing fourth. Once again, Vohland's starts were on point and he launched out to second right away. He had some company and tried to keep his competition at bay, eventually having a mechanical issue which forced him to retire at the halfway mark, finishing 19th.
"Tonight didn't go to plan at all," said Vohland. "I knew what I was up against with the weather, but was hoping we'd be able to make it to the end. That's racing, and now we have to put our heads down to make up as many points as possible over the next few rounds. I've felt good overall with my riding so I'm ready for the challenge."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
3. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha
4. Phil Nicoletti, Yamaha
5. Carson Mumford, Honda
6. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki
7. Joshua Varize, GasGas
8. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki
9. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
10. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda
19. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 47
2. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 42
3. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 38
4. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 35
5. Carson Mumford, Honda, 29
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 27
7. Anthony Bourdon, Suzuki, 27
8. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 26
9. Hunter Yoder, Kawasaki, 23
10. Joshua Varize, GasGas, 22
11. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki, 20
January 7, 2024
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Kitchen Starts Season Off With Podium Finish
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen raced his Kawasaki KX250 to a third-place finish at the season opener at Angel Stadium, fighting to the last corner to ensure his season started with a podium result. His teammate Maximus Vohland earned his first career heat-race win before racing to a notable fifth-place result in the main event, giving the team a positive ne to start on for 2024.
The day started really well for Kitchen, who toped the charts in qualifying to take the pole position. In his heat race he had a great jump and funneled in just behind his teammate, but he got caught in a rut and went down early but eventually raced himself back into a transfer position in seventh. Even with the lower gate pick, Kitchen launched out of the main event gate drop and found himself in third after settling in the first two laps. He kept the pace high, and although he seemed to tighten up and fall back a few spots, Kitchen made a late race drive back into third, where he would finish.
"It's amazing how many first-round jitters you get even after racing under the lights for a few years," said Kitchen. "I did end up running a little tight in the middle of the race, which cost me some time catching the front, but in the end, I'm stoked to be on the podium in the first race. It's a long season, but to start it off with a good handful of points is great. It's nice to get this for the team who's been working really hard."
Vohland got things going in practice with a great pace to qualify fifth. When the gate dropped in his heat race, he was right at the front and passed for the lead on the second lap and took home his first career heat race win. When the gate dropped for the main event, Vohland was right in the mix at the front and settled into sixth. With not great opportunities to make passes, he waited for the right time and passed into fifth around the halfway mark. He would get up to fourth but eventually moved back into fifth, where he would cross the finish line.
"It was really awesome to get that heat race win," said Vohland. "I got a great start and made it count. In the main, I got pushed back behind a few guys that were going pretty good and the track was pretty slick. You had to be really smart about where you tried to pass. In the end, a fifth is good, but I want more. I think my speed can get me on the podium and with next week being my local race, I'm excited to get up to San Francisco."
250SX Class Western Overall Results
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha
3. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda
5. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM
7. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha
8. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda
9. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas
10. Carson Mumford, Honda
250SX Class Western Points Standings
1. RJ Hampshire, Husqvarna, 25
2. Jordon Smith, Yamaha, 22
3. Levi Kitchen, Kawasaki, 20
4. Jo Shimoda, Honda, 18
5. Maximus Vohland, Kawasaki, 17
6. Julien Beaumer, KTM, 16
7. Garret Marchbanks, Yamaha, 15
8. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 14
9. Ryder DiFrancesco, GasGas, 13
10. Carson Mumford, Honda, 12
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