Levi Kitchen focused as he returns for Washougal race

Levi Kitchen has learned that he can’t let the attention that comes from his annual homecoming for the Washougal National motocross event overwhelm him if his goal of winning a professional race on his hometown track is going to become a reality.

“I’m excited to come home for (the) Washougal (race),” Kitchen told the Columbian. “I know now to try to wait until after the race to spend time with people because it can all be too much.”

Kitchen finished in fifth place in 2023 and sixth in 2024 in Washougal. He’ll be looking for a better outcome at the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship Washougal National, to be held Saturday at Washougal Motocross Park.

“Levi is definitely looking forward to racing at home,” said Sara Kitchen, Levi’s mother. “He’s learned a lot about managing the attention from previous years and is focused on the race itself. Winning at Washougal would mean a tremendous amount to him; it’s a big goal.”

Levi, 24, is enjoying another successful motocross season, sitting in third place in the 250 Class standings after finishing sixth at the Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, on July 12. After placing 16th in the Fox Raceway National, the first race of the 2025 outdoor season, on May 24, he finished in third in the next four races before taking seventh place at the RedBud National on July 5.

“I think I’m doing decently this season,” Levi said. “My goals are to win some outdoor races and win the overall in the Super Motocross.”

Levi participated in three competitions during the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship season, winning the 250SX East race in Detroit on Feb. 15. But two weeks later, at the Daytona Supercross 250 SX East main event on March 1 in Daytona Beach, Florida, he sustained a “scary” over-the-bars crash which resulted in a broken collarbone and multiple fractures in his back, according to his mother.

“Coming back from that has been a bit of a struggle,” she said. “The (Fox Raceway National race) was rough because he hadn’t raced since the injury and had a mechanical failure in the second moto, so he didn’t score any points. Despite all of that, he has started building momentum and has finished on the podium in four out of (the first) six rounds (of the outdoor season).”

Levi turned professional in 2021 after signing a contract with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team. He joined Pro Circuit Kawasaki for the 2024 season and recently signed a two-year contract extension with the California-based organization through the fall of 2027.

The Washougal native posted his first AMA Pro Motocross Championship victory at the FXR Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, on July 13, 2024, on his way to a third-place overall finish in the 250 Class standings.

“He has invested in himself this season by hiring a solid team of professionals to guide him in his mental and physical health,” Sara said. “We’re very proud of his progress and often pinch ourselves thinking about the little boy who used to ride in our field at home on his Cobra 50, now racing at the highest level and making a living doing it.”

The American Pro Motocross Association Pro Motocross Championship features 11 rounds of competition amongst stars such as American-born champions Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton, as well as championship-winning Australian phenom Jett Lawrence, Spaniard world champion Jorge Prado, and more.

However, the “star of the show” at the Washougal National, the longest-running motocross event in the Pacific Northwest, is “the iconic track layout at Clark County’s Washougal MX Park,” according to a news release.

“For spectators, there’s simply nothing like it, as they can get mere feet from the racetrack and cheer on the riders as they fly by, both literally and figuratively,” the news release states. “With so many unique places to watch, virtually every vantage point provides spectacular visuals and puts fans on top of the action.”

Washougal “has become one of the pillars of American motocross,” according to MX Sports Pro Racing President Davey Combs.

“It’s widely considered our sport’s most beautiful venue, not just in this country but the entire motocross world. If there were ever to be a postcard for Pro Motocross, the setting would be Washougal,” Combs told the Columbian. “The Huffman family is constantly upgrading the facility, and the fanbase is as enthusiastic as they come.”

IF YOU GO

What: 2025 Pro Motocross Championship FLY Racing Washougal National

When: Noon, Saturday, July 19

Where: Washougal Motocross Park, 40205 N.E. Borin Road, Washougal

Tickets: Available for purchase at universe.com/events/2025-washougal-national-pro-motocross-round-8-tickets-G5MXC9

2024 results: 250 Class: 1. Haiden Deegan, 2. Tom Vialle, 3. Jo Shimoda; 450 Class: 1. Chase Sexton, 2. Aaron Plessinger, 3. Jason Anderson

2025 standings: 250 Class: 1. Haiden Deegan (321 points), 2. Jo Shimoda (276), 3. Levi Kitchen (214), 3. Garrett Marchbanks (214); 450 Class: 1. Jett Lawrence (337 points), 2. Hunter Lawrence (286), 3. Justin Cooper (247)

Other ways to watch: NBC and Peacock