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Washougal MX National: Levi Kitchen looking to inspire younger riders, win in his hometown

Levi Kitchen will race with the red plate Saturday in the FLY Racing Washougal MX National as the points leader in the 250 Class of the Pro Motocross Championship, and he is hoping to win his hometown race for the first time in his stellar career

By · July 24, 2026
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Levi Kitchen Chases First Washougal Win on Home Turf
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Washougal MX National: Levi Kitchen looking to inspire younger riders, win in his hometown
Levi Kitchen, who grew up in Washougal, is back in town for the Washougal MX National, hoping to win his hometown race for the first time. Kitchen is in first place this season in the 250 Class of the Pro Motocross Championship series. (Paul Valencia)

Thousands of fans.

Dozens of motorcycles

And the greatest riders in the world.

All in Clark County this week.

The FLY Racing Washougal National, the eighth round of the Pro Motocross Championship series, is ready for Saturday’s day of racing.

Oh, and a local professional will have the red plate in his motos.

Levi Kitchen will be racing with the red plate — indicating he is in first place in the series points race — when he takes on the challenging Wasougal MX Park course. Kitchen grew up walking distance from the park, learned to ride right here, and now he is leading the 250 classification series.

He has yet to win as a professional in Washougal, but that could change Saturday.

“It would be awesome to win here. When I won in Seattle in Supercross, that was pretty insane,” Kitchen said.

Yes, Seattle might be three hours away, but was still a local Washington guy winning that huge event. So it was a big deal.

If he can win in his home state in the summer, in Motocross, just hundreds of yards from his family home? Wow.

“It would be awesome. I come in every year with the goal to win. I’ll just keep doing my best, trying to get that,” he said.

Just competing in the Pro Motocross Championship series is worthy of celebration for Clark County race fans. There are signs welcoming all riders, but there are plenty of signs welcoming Kitchen back to Washougal. He said he flew in on Thursday and stayed the night at the family home, just up the hill.

“I really look forward to it,” he said of the Washougal National. “It’s always fun coming here seeing friends, family, and friends.”

There are four events left this summer, including Washougal, and Kitchen, riding for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, has the points lead in the 250 class.

Washougal is quite the challenge, though. The trees can be overwhelming at times as riders try to stay focused on the track.

“It’s the most unique track on our circuit,” he said. “The shadows.”

Win or lose, Kitchen understands there will be a lot of attention on him this week. He appreciates the love shown his way from race fans.

“Thank you to all the people who support me and always have. I’m just trying to inspire the younger kids. Anything is possible,” Kitchen said. “That is what I’d have to say: Chase your dreams.”

The 2026 FLY Racing Washougal National includes a full day of racing. Practice and qualifying starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, with opening ceremonies set for 12:15 p.m.

The first moto for the 250 is at 1 p.m., followed by the first moto in the 450 class. The second motos start at 3:30 p.m.

Fans are advised to get there early as traffic is always intense for race day. For ticket information, go to: https://washougalmx.ticketspice.com/washougal-pro-motocross-nationals-2026?t=mxs

Kitchen leads the 250 Class with 261 points this season. Julien Beumer of Arizona is in second place with 237 points.

In the 450 class, Hunter Lawrence of Australia has 320 points and is 10 points ahead of his brother Jett Lawrence.

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