race recap
LEVI KITCHEN GRIT-229 250MX
August 15, 2023 · Levi Kitchen
LEVI KITCHEN | GRIT-229 | 250MX
Yamaha's Levi Kitchen was an athlete that possessed tremendous talent, regardless of the racing format in which he competed. The number forty-three's style was one that portrayed fluidity, which was showcased amongst the ever-changing terrain of Unadilla on Saturday - where he overcame a qualification time of sixteenth, to claim the hole-shot designation in the first moto of competition! Kitchen's ability to engage in a racing mentality would be undeniable after that feat, and as he and Seth Hammaker fought over the pinnacle position, it would be the Washington native who ultimately prevailed. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider almost claimed the lead once and for all in the straightaways leading to the flyaway tabletop...but a definitive inside line in the left-handed bend just before was enough to exemplify the utmost corner speed, and take the lead from Hammaker once and for all! In the moments thereafter Kitchen's ability to hold the lead while being under fire from countless adversaries, was exceptional. And as minutes passed, there wasn't anything that the competition could seem to do, that would disrupt the flow of the Washington native. Eventually moving forward to establish a lead that was of multiple seconds, the entirety of the fifteen-lap contest would be led by that of Kitchen. Honda's Hunter Lawrence would do everything in his power though, to disrupt the streak of victory...including nearly making a pass amongst the "Wall Jump" with just over two minutes remaining on the clock! It was the competitiveness of Kitchen though that ultimately prevailed and as the checkered flag waved, Levi was declared the first moto winner! In the hours that followed, after the 450cc class had completed their moto's, it was then time for Kitchen to compete for victory in the following round of racing. And after beginning the moto in fourth, it was as though the number forty-three would be in an optimal standing for an overall podium! Back and forth with that of Jo Shimoda, the two riders would do their best to overtake Justin Cooper...but the number thirty-two was riding extremely well atop the leaderboard. Meanwhile, the number seventy-five of Ryder DiFrancesco would be overtaken...that was, after a mistake from Kitchen (in the turn after the infield tabletop) caused a nullification of advancement, due to Hunter Lawrence simultaneously passing the Washington rider - as Levi had come to a halt, due to being off balanced in the prolonged middle groove. Once into fourth (after passing "Ryder D" once and for all) Levi would remain here while Kawasaki's Austin Forkner would charge forward from a fifth-place residency...but Kitchen's stance aboard the Yamaha wasn't one that could be toppled, leaving Levi in fourth as the checkered flag was eventually thrown -and an overall podium was secured, via second-place in the record book!