Three rounds of Monster Energy Supercross in 2026 have produced what can be described as highly-frustrating for 250SX challenger Levi Kitchen, tipped by many to factor for the championship. Instead, consecutive mishaps – including a DNF at A2 – have him listed ninth in the standings, with wins and podiums now becoming his only way to salvage the series.

The 24-year-old Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider had been expected to mount a serious title challenge after strong showings over his past two indoor campaigns. With a seat on the factory Monster Energy Kawasaki premier class team being the end goal, a 250SX title was seen as an ideal way to strengthen his case.

Instead, the Washington native has yet to exit the first turn cleanly, with all three 250SX main events seeing the number 47 down in turn one and forced to play catch-up. At A1 and San Diego he recovered to sixth and fourth, respectively, but a third-consecutive first turn fall on Saturday night at Anaheim 2 led to an early withdrawal.

Image: Octopi Media.

Kitchen has since indicated that injury won’t keep him out of Houston this weekend, but what wasn’t avoided was the significant loss of championship points. Previously considered a title threat, he is now positioned ninth, with defending champion Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) holding 68 points to Kitchen’s 34.

So, what went wrong at A2? Kitchen noted that the speed was there, as evidenced by his P2 in qualifying, but a series of mistakes – including an eye-opening crash/front-flip in his heat race – prevented him from capitalizing on his early afternoon form. It’s been a similar story all year to this point.

“It was a little bit of a frustrating day,” Kitchen recalled post-race. “The speed is there and I feel good on the bike, but a few small things kept setting me back. The crash in the heat race was unfortunate, and then in the main, I slid out, and my arm got hit in the mix.

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“It didn’t feel great after that, so I pulled off, which was a bummer. The main thing is staying healthy so I can come back and fight in Houston – thank you to everyone who stands behind me each and every weekend, we’ll try again next week.”

A little bit of frustration is an understatement. Anaheim 2 effectively ended his title chances altogether, raising the question of what could make the championship salvageable in his fifth 250SX season.

The first answer is simply getting out of the first corner without hitting the ground. While his A1 and San Diego rides were likely solid, there’s only so much a rider can do when charging from the back on the first lap – which is especially the case when Deegan and Max Anstie (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) are considered your main adversaries.

Image: Octopi Media.

If his opening-lap track position can be fixed, multiple podiums and victories could still provide a silver lining to the championship, building on his current 250SX win tally of five. Broadly speaking, the early-season form represents another disappointing campaign for the Mitch Payton-led Kawasaki team.

Once the benchmark in the ’90s and 2000s, the team has yet to claim a 250SX title since Justin Hill’s western regional victory in 2017. Now, Kitchen’s slow start combined with Cameron McAdoo’s P22 at Anaheim 1, that dry spell shows no sign of ending on this coast in 2026 at least.

Circling back to Kitchen, he escaped injury despite the main event incident and that spectacular over-the-bars moment in his heat race, which, while fortunate, crashes of that nature rarely end without consequence and ought to be avoided. What he needs now is a clean first lap, followed by an accident-free main event and solid points on the board.

Victories and podiums are also essential, as they would help salvage his 2026 campaign and maintain the lofty expectations set for a rider with significant potential. As the first Triple Crown of the year in Houston approaches, Kitchen will have three opportunities to exit the first turn cleanly inside NRG Stadium in a bid to post a solid result and, ultimately, to revitalize his season.