race recap
LEVI KITCHEN - GRIT 256 250SX
July 3, 2024 · Levi Kitchen

GRIT-256 | 250 SX
July 2nd, 2024 1:45 pm
Despite hailing from the Northwest, the skillset of Levi Kitchen could never be discredit on any type of soil...even that of the sandy landscape that made-up, the Southwick circuit. The Kawasaki rider would excel to a fourth-place standing in practice, and carried an undeniable swagger into moto-one. Once there, it appeared as if Kitchen could be solidified in the second-place position as the green flag of the opening moto waved...but quickly, he was surpassed by Honda's Chance Hymas. A few "sketchy" moments where he slammed into pot-holes that would toss his weight from side to side, ultimately deterred his speed even more...which resulted in Tom Vialle overtaking him, rather quickly as well. He was then fourth, with a bit of a gap over Joey Savatgy and Nicholas Romano. As the laps progressed, Levi's pace would be maintained. He never appeared to get "out of shape" per se, and seemed engaged with the ever-changing track, along with lapped riders that were coming into play. Using his height as leverage over the largest of bumps and pot-holes, Kitchen was polished as the track continuously broke down. And with his focus that never wavered, he appeared to be closing the distance between he and Chance Hymas, when nearing the checkered flag! He'd kept Joey Savatgy at bay, and was truly striving for the rear wheel of the Honda rider...but in the end, the number forty-seven would cross the line for fourth - rolling to the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki pit area, with hopes of establishing an even stronger game-plan for round two. To begin the second moto, he conducted multiple strong starts...following the red flag being thrown, and the field being forced to leap from the grid on a second occasion. He contended for the lead early as action began, but would be overtaken by Haiden Deegan almost immediately. Tom Vialle surpassed him not long thereafter, and so to would Jo Shimoda. Though a position was regained with Deegan's crash, Kitchen found himself being overwhelmed with Haiden's pressure in the moments that followed, to once more lose a spot in the standings to the Yamaha athlete. Remaining in fourth for a significant portion of time, a late-race mistake would cost him a few positions...to that of Joey Savatgy, Jordon Smith, and Chance Hymas. However the descent would stop after falling to seventh, where he remained when leaping over the final double, for sixth overall in Massachusetts.