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MONSTER ENERGY® PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI EARNS DOUBLE 250SX PODIUM AT HOUSTON TRIPLE CROWN
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders Levi Kitchen and Cameron McAdoo rose to the occasion at the Houston Triple Crown, navigating the demanding three-race format to earn second and third-place overall finishes in the 250SX Class. Kitchen posted finishes of 2-2-3 on the night, while McAdoo followed closely with consistent 3-3-4 results, as the duo combined strong starts, calculated passes, and steady execution to secure a double podium for Kawasaki. In the 450SX Class, Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Chase Sexton battled through a challenging night marked by fluctuating track conditions and difficult starts to finish fifth overall with race scores of 2-9-6. Teammate Garrett Marchbanks continued to show consistency throughout the evening, ultimately securing 15th overall after finishes of 14-15-16. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders Vincent Wey and Kade Johnson lined up for a second weekend in a row in the SMX Next Main Event, with Wey finishing 12th after leading early and Johnson taking home 22nd following an injury sustained earlier in the day.
Qualifying set the tone for a competitive night in Houston, with the Kawasaki 250SX riders immediately establishing themselves as front-runners. Kitchen opened the day with a strong third-place result in the first session before delivering a statement lap in the second, jumping to the top of the board and earning second overall. McAdoo complemented his teammate with steady, composed riding in both sessions, placing seventh in the first and improving to sixth in the second to secure sixth overall.
Race 1 began with both Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders launching cleanly off the gate, immediately establishing themselves at the front of the pack. Kitchen settled into second while McAdoo ran close behind in third. The pair maintained steady pressure on the leader while managing the intensity of the race. Despite a tightly packed field and multiple challenges from behind, both riders rode composed races to bring home second and third-place finishes. The second race saw McAdoo seize the moment early, grabbing the holeshot on his KX™250 to lead the field early, but Kitchen quickly joined him to take over the lead on Lap 1 and the duo controlled the pace. What followed was a race-long battle with Kitchen and the leader trading lines and momentum throughout the main lanes. A late-race move in the closing minutes moved Kitchen to second after missing the tricky triple after the whoops, but he remained composed to secure another strong finish. McAdoo continued his consistent night with a third-place result, keeping himself firmly in podium contention. Race 3 tested patience and execution, as both riders were forced to fight forward from the middle of the pack following difficult starts. McAdoo methodically worked his way into fourth while Kitchen followed closely in fifth, the pair maintaining a steady pace through the middle stages of the race. As the time wound down, both riders pushed forward, capitalizing on late-race opportunities to cross the line second and third, respectively. Their combined results across all three races earned Kitchen second overall and McAdoo third overall, marking a successful night in one of the most demanding formats of the season.
In the 450SX class, Sexton continued to showcase elite pace, qualifying second in the opening session before laying down the fastest lap of the second session. His consistency across both sessions earned him second overall heading into the night program. Marchbanks worked struggling to put in a clean lap in both sessions, but focused on building rhythm, ultimately qualifying 18th overall.
In the opening 450SX race, Sexton started near the front of the pack and immediately positioned himself in podium contention. Settling into a measured pace early, he made a decisive pass midway through the race to take over second place and maintained consistent pressure through the closing laps to secure the podium result. Marchbanks worked steadily through the field after a mid-pack start, managing traffic and rhythm sections to finish 14th. Race 2 presented new challenges, as both riders found themselves buried mid-pack off the start. Sexton mounted an aggressive charge from 17th, slicing his way through the field to reach seventh before a late mistake dropped him back to ninth as the track continued to break down. Marchbanks focused on maintaining flow and minimizing mistakes, climbing to 15th by the checkered flag. The final race of the night saw Sexton battle from the middle of the pack, charging through the field and passing up into a podium position before missing the crucial triple-triple-triple section across the start. The time lost in that section dropped him to sixth place where he’d finish the race. Marchbanks shot out the gate fast, rounding the first turn in fourth. He persevered through the same triple section in Sector 4, posting the fastest time of the evening, and finished 16th after another demanding effort. Sexton’s consistency across all three races tied him in points for fourth overall, but earned fifth overall based on the final race finish, while Marchbanks secured 15th overall.
SMX Next qualifying saw Team Green riders Wey and Johnson remain firmly in the mix for the second-consecutive week. Wey posted the fourth-fastest overall time, while Johnson followed closely in fifth, positioning both riders with solid gate picks and setting the stage for a competitive main event under the lights.
In the SMX Next Main Event, Wey launched to a strong start and grabbed the holeshot, leading the opening laps and setting the pace early. As the race progressed, he settled into podium contention while managing the pressure from behind. Johnson was forced to pull off early after aggravating a wrist injury, ending his night prematurely and taking home 22nd. Wey remained inside the Top 3 for much of the race and his late-race fitness opened the door for an opportunity to take second place. The rising talent entered the whoops with speed to make the pass, but lost control entering the corner with so much momentum and fell in the process. Wey learned valuable lessons and both Team Green riders will be back behind the gate in Daytona for the next SMX Next event.
“Tonight was tough. The first race was solid, and I felt like I was right where I needed to be, but the second race made things harder with the start, and I had to work my way forward and be smart about it. Going into the third race, it was about salvaging the best overall result possible and staying consistent. The speed is there, and I know we’re close. The team never stopped pushing, and we’ll learn more about the bike and apply it moving forward.”
- Chase Sexton
“This weekend was about continuing to build and getting more comfortable every time I am on the track. It wasn’t an easy night, especially when you’re working through the pack in multiple races, but I felt better as the night went on. Each race I was able to settle in, find a rhythm, and make progress, even when the starts weren’t ideal. There are definitely positives to take away, and I’m happy with the direction we’re heading. I’m grateful to be back racing and putting laps together, and I know we’ll keep improving as the season goes on.”
- Garrett Marchbanks
“Tonight was intense. The second race was a battle from start to finish. I was close the entire time, and it really forced me to stay locked in. I focused on learning and resetting from last weekend, and being consistent. Getting second overall at a Triple Crown feels good, especially with how stacked the field was.”
- Levi Kitchen
“Honestly, I’m prouder of this third place than I was of my second place in San Diego. Triple Crowns are brutal, you don’t get a reset, and every race builds on the last. We stayed consistent, made smart decisions, and put ourselves in good positions all night. I have a lot of good things going for me in my life right now, and that’s something to be proud of.”
- Cameron McAdoo