Kitchen bringing the heat in AMA Pro Motocross Championship battle

Levi Kitchen is coming off a runner-up finish in the 2026 250SX West Division Supercross Championship. The second-place finisher in five of the ten 250SX West main events, it was a competitive run in the classification for the 25 year old Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki racer.

Encouraged with his speed and performance in the stadiums of the West Division in 2026, Kitchen will now look to Fox Raceway at Pala in Southern California and the opening round of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Fourth overall in the 2025 AMA 250cc Pro Motocross Championship, Kitchen finished on the podium four times along the way and looking to make a run at the ’26 title this summer.

"The momentum is rolling and I feel good," he said.

"We did some testing last week in California and that went really well. Chassis-wise and bike-wise, everybody is pretty dang happy. The suspension-side has been really good. I’m happy with that. The whole crew with the suspension has been great. It’s been really good with the entire team. Last year was a new bike, so we had a couple hiccups and a couple things we were trying to improve. Now, I really feel like the bike is closer to where I was in 2024 when they had that bike really developed. I feel like they’re making a lot of progress, and we’re all making progress. It feels really good. I’m excited for this outdoor season to get going.”

Third overall in the 2024 AMA National Motocross Championship and fourth overall in 2025, Kitchen is fiercely competitive on the U.S. outdoor circuits and is looking for even more come the launch of the 11 round, 22 moto ’26 250cc National Championship.

“I feel pretty dang confident,” he said. “Last year was tougher than 2024, but I’m glad that I know what it feels like to lead races outdoors. Also, especially last year, I really learned how to come through the pack. I feel like that’s only going to help me. Another things is my fitness. It’s been unreal. Even though I had to take a little bit of time off, I feel like my back is good. I feel like I didn’t really lose as much as I would fitness-wise.”

Kitchen is now focusing on how he will approach the opening phase of the AMA 250cc Pro Motocross Championship.

“I wouldn’t say that I want to ease into the season,” he said. “I don’t feel like that’s the way to go about it. I want to try and bring some good speed. That’s the goal. I’ve had good results there in the past. I’m looking forward to all the rounds. They all have their cool little quirks about them.

"Hangtown can be extremely hot and Colorado is awesome and super-rutted. The are all just fun, man. I love all of them. Southwick is so unique. Then you go to Washougal, and that’s the one that I really need to dial in this year. I kind of made a game plan so I can improve there.

"The tracks I know I’ve been good at, I want to keep that confidence going. I think it helps. At least for me. I also know that any day you can just figure a track out and have a great day on it. That happened to me at Budds Creek. I had never had a top 10 and won an overall at Budds Creek the next year. Yoou just have to be confident in yourself.”

Kitchen believes he can make a run at the 2026 250cc title.

“Oh yeah. Big time,” he said. “That it is my goal. I expect nothing less than to win the championship, honestly. I won’t feel as satisfied if I don’t meet those expectations. I also have learned over the years that you want to expect it and you want to just try to manifest it. Nothing is promised, but you want to just work towards that goal. It would be awesome to win it. I’d be super happy. Yeah, that’s what I’m working towards. Like I said, that’s kind of the expectation, I suppose. It’s just what I expect out of myself.”

In an interview Kitchen and this writer did last March, Kitchen said, “For me, big picture is to go and try to keep getting better and better. Really, that’s what’s motivating me now, trying to get better.” Reading this quote back to Kitchen, I asked if he feels he is actually getting better. 

“Yeah, totally," he said. "That’s how I feel in every aspect. I’m improving in different parts of the race. Some days there are parts of it that I lack. I feel like I have strong suits in different pieces of the race. So does everybody. I’m just trying to strengthen all those aspects that maybe fall a little short. With people who know they are fit, it’s just a huge advantage. Showing other people you’re fit is huge, too. There is a lot that goes into it, but if you just have those things in line, that’s what separates the good from the great. It’s what you work towards and what I’m working towards. I’m excited for it and looking forward to it all, for sure.”

Who will he have to fight with to take possession of the 2026 250cc Championship?

“Everybody who has kind of been up there the last few years," he said. "Like Chance Hymas. I expect us to go at it, for sure. It will be kind of cool because me and Chance, we both raced each other at Loretta’s. We had some great races, so that’s pretty cool. Jo Shimoda is going to be good. Cole Davies, it’ll be kind of new to him. I don’t think I’ve really raced him in outdoors much. You’ve got to expect that all of these guys are going to bring it. My teammates and the others, it’s going to be fun. I’m just confident. I’m pretty confident going into this year, and that’s a big part of it. Deep down, I feel more that way than I ever have, so that’s a good thing."