Levi Kitchen Concludes Season Strong with Critical Podium Finish at Budds Creek
Levi Kitchen, riding for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, capped off a tumultuous summer with a strong performance at Budds Creek, securing a much-needed podium finish at the series finale. After an inconsistent start to the season—including a 16th overall at Fox Raceway and a mid-season slump—Kitchen rebounded solidly with a significant third-place result.
Despite a rocky period highlighted by four consecutive third-place finishes, Kitchen’s performance at RedBud was marked by a promising recovery after a first-lap crash, followed by a disappointing seventh in the second moto. However, the rider made crucial adjustments ahead of Budds Creek, notably in bike setup, which he credits for his return to form.
In a post-race interview with Steve Matthes, Kitchen noted the importance of these changes. “We did a change with the bike, some mapping and gearing, and it really made a big difference. The starts today were better,” he stated. His results improved significantly compared to previous rounds, with Kitchen emphasizing the importance of ongoing development to keep pace with frontrunners Jo Shimoda and Haiden Deegan.
Further elaborating on the bike modifications during the post-race press conference, he added, “We found some stuff for the bike before this weekend that helped a ton… I think that’s why the result was the way it was today.”
Looking ahead to the SMX series, Kitchen expressed renewed confidence, stating he is eager to build on this momentum. His performance at Budds Creek not only restores his standing but also positions him well for the upcoming challenges.
