Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Kitchen Perseveres Through Challenges in Washougal for Sixth
Motocross // Washougal MX // Highlights:
- Qualifying: Kitchen was 2nd, Masterpool 11th
- Kitchen overcame 12th in Moto 1, bouncing back to 4th in Moto 2 (6th overall)
- Masterpool finished 12 overall with a 10th in Moto 1 and 15th Moto
WASHOUGAL, Wash. (July 21, 2024) — Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen returned to his home track of Washougal MX Park for Round 8 of the Pro Motocross Championship, rising to various challenges he faced to come away with a sixth overall (12-4) on the day. One of the challenges was the unusual heat the riders faced at the Pacific Northwest track and Ty Masterpool also endured through his own challenges to finish 12th overall with a 10-15 moto score.
After spending Friday enjoying media day in front of his hometown crowd, Kitchen was ready to line up for qualifying where he clocked the second-fastest time. The heat significantly changed the characteristics of the track when the Moto 1 gate dropped in the afternoon, and Kitchen was caught up outside mid-pack on the first turn. With the track extremely hard to pass on, Kitchen used the entire moto to climb up the leaderboard to 12th. The second moto saw a much better start from Kitchen who rounded the first turn in the top five. He stayed between fifth and fourth for the first several laps before settling into fourth at the halfway point and carried the position to the checkered flag for sixth overall.
“To say I’m bummed is a bit of an understatement because I wanted to do more for my hometown crowd, but the starts weren’t there when you really need them to be at this track,” said Kitchen. “I did my best to bounce back in the second moto, but just didn’t have what it took to be at the front today. Just like wins motivate, it’s also days like today that really make you want to get back to work and make it back to the podium. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.”
Masterpool started the day 11th overall in qualifying to get things started and he was able to make that translate to a great start in Moto 1. He rounded the first turn in the top five and settled into sixth for most of the moto. Towards the end of the race, he made a few mistakes that cost him and crossed the finish line 10th. Masterpool had an uphill battle in Moto 2 after starting outside the top 15, working his way up as best he could past riders to finish 15th for 12th overall.
“The track was tough today and starts were a big factor,” said Masterpool. “But the heat was also a factor for me and it did end up taking a little bit of a toll. We have some time off but I won’t be backing down and will keep working on getting better to bounce back at Unadilla.”
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250MX Class Overall Results – Washougal
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha), 2-1
- Tom Vialle (KTM), 1-2
- Jo Shimoda (Honda), 3-3
- Ryder DiFrancesco (GasGas), 4-6
- Pierce Brown (GasGas), 6-5
- Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki), 12-4
- Joey Savatgy (Triumph), 9-7
- Jalek Swoll (Husqvarna), 7-9
- Chance Hymas (Honda), 8-12
- Jett Reynolds (Yamaha), 13-10
12. Ty Masterpool (Kawasaki), 10-15
250MX Class Points Standings
- Haiden Deegan (Yamaha), 361
- Tom Vialle (KTM), 307
- Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki), 291
- Chance Hymas (Honda), 275
- Jo Shimoda (Honda), 271
- Ty Masterpool (Kawasaki), 233
- Pierce Brown (GasGas), 195
- Jalek Swoll (Triumph), 187
- Ryder DiFrancesco (GasGas), 181
- Jordon Smith (Yamaha), 165
Team Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki uses WRP Titanium Fasteners
