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MONSTER ENERGY®/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI RIDER LEVI KITCHEN TAKES HOME TRIPLE CROWN WIN AT ROUND 4 OF MONSTER ENERGY® SUPERCROSS
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (January 28, 2024) - Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen clinches the first Triple Crown victory of the 2024 season, asserting his status as a top contender for the championship while also moving into a tie for the championship points lead. Jason Anderson, representing Monster Energy® Kawasaki, displayed tenacity to claim the second Main Event win and secure a fourth-place overall finish. Monster Energy® Kawasaki Team Green™ riders Landen Gordon and Drew Adams took on the top 250SX futures riders, claiming the sixth and seventh spots and proving their skill and competitiveness in the process. 450SX rider Adam Cianciarulo withdrew from competition following the first qualifying session due to an aggravated hand injury sustained earlier in the season.
Angel Stadium, located in Anaheim, California, is a distinguished and versatile venue steeped in history. Since it was established in 1966, it has been the cherished home of the Los Angeles Angels, solidifying its status as one of the enduring Major League Baseball stadiums. Beyond its baseball legacy, Angel Stadium has become a prestigious hub for Monster Energy® Supercross, attracting supercross enthusiasts on more occasions than any other venue hosting supercross for the 83rd time on Saturday.
Kitchen kicked off the day on the technical track, securing the second-place qualifying position. In the Triple Crown format where every race holds significance in the event standings, Kitchen's No. 47 dominated Race 1, grabbing the holeshot and maintaining a lead for the win. In the second main event, Kitchen once again catapulted from the gate, securing a podium position and engaging in battles with fellow championship contenders, nearly taking the win once again in Race 2. As the third and final 250SX Main Event began, Kitchen strategically navigated the competition, crossing the finish line in third place. His composed performance throughout the races earned him the overall victory in the first Triple Crown event of the 2024 season. Kitchen now shares the points lead as the 250SX West Region takes a break and the championship heads to Detroit next weekend.
Anderson commenced the sunny day by qualifying in third place aboard his Monster Energy® Kawasaki KX™450SR. With confidence evident in his riding, the No. 21 rider entered the night show showcasing impressive speed. In Race 1, Anderson began with a Top 5 start and engaged in intense battles, ultimately finishing in fourth place. The second main event saw Anderson securing a strong start within the Top 3, quickly asserting himself in the lead by lap two and building an impressive gap from his competitors claiming victory. In the night's final main event, Anderson faced an initial challenge recovering from a first-lap mistake that dropped him to the 19th position. With precision and determination, the Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider maneuvered through the field, concluding the third and final race in seventh place, however, officials ruled the No. 21 gained an advantage after tipping over and Anderson was docked a position. Anderson celebrated on the podium in second overall but would be credited with fourth place.
In the 250SX Futures class, Adams and Gordon started off the day by securing the first and eighth positions in the morning qualifying session. With a significant gap between qualifying and the main event, the Monster Energy® Kawasaki Team Green™ riders were eagerly anticipating the gate drop of the race. When the main event commenced, Gordon's No. 18 bolted out of the gate, securing the holeshot. Despite an early battle for the lead, Gordon made a crucial error that dropped him to fifth. Meanwhile, Adams, on the No. 300, faced adversity starting from the 12th position but managed to battle through and finish in sixth, with his teammate closely following in seventh.
“Today was a good all-around day. Qualifying went well, securing second overall. In the first main event, I got the win after asking for it early on. In the second one, I finished second, which is solid, and I felt like I had the speed throughout the night. The third one began with a good start, but I made a slight mistake. However, I got behind (Nate) Thrasher, maintained focus, and realized I had a substantial points gap. From there, I rode it in smoothly. It was an overall great night, and having the red plate is cool for me. I can’t thank my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team enough. My KX™250 was great all day!”
Levi Kitchen
“Today was definitely a good day for me. I am happy with my progression on the bike and we are trending in the right direction. I am happy to have dry conditions this weekend and qualifying went well. The first race was decent. I had a good battle with Kenny (Roczen) and finished in fourth. The second race was a good one for me. I got a great start on my KX™450SR and then made a quick move early in the race on Webb and started to hit my marks and pull away. The last race did not go the way I wanted. I made a mistake in the second whoop section and went down. I quickly got up and tried to work my way back up the field to salvage a podium spot. I was frustrated to find out after the race I was docked a position causing me to finish fourth overall. There is plenty of racing still to go and I am focused on what is ahead. Huge thanks to my Monster Energy Kawasaki team for keeping everything dialed all day. Onto Detroit!”
Jason Anderson