race recap
LEVI KITCHEN | GRIT-220 | 250SX
May 15, 2023 · Levi Kitchen
LEVI KITCHEN | GRIT-220 | SX 250
Taking into a step into new territory throughout the 2023 racing season, Yamaha's Levi Kitchen would prove that he was one of the best riders, regardless of classification (of Coasts) prior to the checkered flag waving in Salt Lake City. Throughout the myriad of practice sessions, Kitchen was holding his own and made sure to make an impact on the lap-time sheet as he mastered every facet of the racecourse with precision. This carried into his heat race as well, where he joined fellow members of the West Coast brigade, and immediately took reign of the field as RJ Hampshire, Carson Mumford, and Jett Lawrence would follow. This was a perfect scenario for the Washington native, as the track was rather slick and full of moisture; which reminded him of his Pacific Northwest roots. He thrived and made sure to attack each rhythm lane (including the toughest step-on combination) after the whoops time and time again...seat-hopping with fearlessness mist continued to fill the environment of Rice-Eccles Stadium. Every so often, he could see Hampshire in the paralleled lane behind him, and made sure to keep the bike propelling forward as a direct reciprocation of that. Kitchen couldn't be bothered as laps six and seven were led, and his confidence seemed to amplify as the checkered flag grew nearer. It would be shortly thereafter where the number forty-three obtained the win, heading into the main event with an outstanding gate choice. Once the two coasts converged, Kitchen (again) was an immediate threat for an overall podium, just behind RJ Hampshire and Jett Lawrence. He could see both of the contenders not far ahead, with ample room over the likes of Jo Shimoda and countless others beginning to fade in the distance. The track was slick and would force riders to remain on point with rain that had fallen, but Kitchen continued to on his smooth and mistake-free pattern of momentum carrying that had those in the crowd cheering. As the first quarter of the moto was completed, so too would come the halfway point; where Kitchen remained adamant on catching up to the rear wheel of Hampshire (if possible). Continuing to leap onto plateaus that were filled with lines, while carving through corners and dragging the foot-pegs, there was little that could stop Kitchen from eventually powering through all nineteen laps of competition without obtaining the third place overall bid. And that's exactly what would occur, finishing out the "SX" season with spectacularity!