Washougal’s own Levi Kitchen rides to town with motocross momentum

Levi Kitchen raises his arm in victory last week in Minnesota. The professional motocross rider from Washougal won his first outdoor event of his career last week. He returns home to race for Monster Energy Kawasaki on Saturday at the Washougal MX National. Photo courtesy Andras Simon of Kawasaki USA

The Washougal MX National is Saturday, and local standout is coming off his first motocross victory

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Levi Kitchen is coming home, riding his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki with a bunch of momentum heading into the MotoSport.com Washougal National on Saturday at the Washougal MX Park.

Home indeed.

Kitchen, a professional motocross rider, grew up just down the road from the Washougal MX Park, where he learned to ride and near where he fished in the nearby Washougal River.

He will be returning to Washougal for the first time as a motocross victor. Last week in Minnesota, Kitchen went 1-1 in the motos to take the 250 class overall title at Spring Creek in Millville, Minn.

“I finally made it happen,” said the rider who turned pro in 2021. “It has been a long time coming, and ever since that third-place moto finish in Redbud, it was game time.”

Levi Kitchen trailed early in both motos last week, but made moves to take the lead in both and kept the lead, going 1-1 in Minnesota. He will be racing in his hometown this weekend at the Washougal MX Park. Photo courtesy Andras Simon of Kawasaki USA

Kitchen has four career wins on the Supercross 250SX West series, but had never earned the first-place spot on a motocross course … until last week.

“I focused solely on intensity throughout the week coming to Spring Creek, and everything fell into place,” Kitchen said in a press release from Monster Energy Kawasaki. “In both races, I made crucial early passes and managed to keep up with the leaders, which allowed me to capitalize on my opportunities.”

The two motos, just hours apart, were under very different conditions. There was a thunderstorm after the first moto, and teams had to prepare to compete in wet, muddy conditions for the second moto.

Kitchen and his team were ready.

“Overall, I’m pleased with my bike’s performance and my fitness level,” Kitchen said.

Next up is the Washougal MX National.

“I’m excited to head back to my hometown to put on a show in front of my friends and family,” Kitchen said.