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MONSTER ENERGY PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI’S LEVI KITCHEN CROWNED 250 SMX WORLD CHAMPION
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen captured the 2026 250 Class SMX World Championship at the final round of the series in Ridgedale, Missouri, in front of a sold-out crowd. Kitchen delivered when it mattered most, earning podium finishes in both motos and second overall to secure the championship. Teammate Cameron McAdoo bounced back after a difficult Moto 1 to finish ninth overall (13-5). Drew Adams and Nick Romano endured a pair of challenging motos to finish 16th (16-17) and 19th (19-20) overall, respectively. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Garrett Marchbanks put in a consistent Top 10 day for seventh (10-7) on the day and sixth overall in the SMX championship.
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena set a scenic backdrop for the SMX World Championship Final. The venue created an expansive hybrid-style track that allowed for intense racing. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders posted similar times throughout both qualifying sessions. Kitchen led the team with third overall, only three-tenths of a second off the fastest time. Adams followed next in seventh overall, while Romano and McAdoo took 17th and 18th, respectively.
After qualifying, Romano and McAdoo headed to the Wild Card race to claim their transfer spot for the night show. Both riders got off to a midpack start, with McAdoo in third and Romano following his rear fender in fourth. McAdoo maintained his pace throughout the race to secure third, while Romano slipped one position to finish fifth.
In 250 Moto 1, Kitchen charged past all his competitors from the very inside gate to claim the holeshot on the difficult 180-degree first turn. Romano claimed a Top 10 start in eighth while Adams and McAdoo got less-than-ideal starts towards the back of the pack. Kitchen took instant control of the race and held a consistent two-second lead. Knowing Cole Davies was not in the championship fight, Kitchen allowed the pass in the closing laps and safely secured second place at the finish. McAdoo attempted to charge through the pack but was held up by the rider in front of him, forcing him to methodically plan his pass. Once able to make the pass, the No. 142 gained a few more positions to take 13th. Adams looked to move through the field but tightened up during the race and slipped to 16th at the checkered flag. Romano’s lingering back injury kept him from racing to his full potential as he crossed the line in 19th.
In 250 Moto 2, Kitchen launched off the gate with another impressive start, slotting into second place. McAdoo rebounded from his Moto 1 start with a Top 5 start, while Romano and Adams settled in just outside the Top 10. Kitchen quickly latched onto the leader, matching the pace up front as the pair pulled away from the field and built a comfortable gap over the riders behind.
McAdoo held a steady fourth-place pace throughout the moto until a slight mistake in the closing laps dropped him to fifth at the finish. Adams and Romano faced challenges of their own as the race unfolded, ultimately finishing 17th and 20th, respectively. Up front, Kitchen continued his consistent pace to comfortably secure second place and clinch the SMX World Championship. Kitchen closed out the year with four moto wins, two overall victories and 13 overall podiums aboard his KX™250. In the final SMX World Championship standings, McAdoo finished 11th, followed by Adams in 14th and Romano in 18th.
Marchbanks came into the race weekend feeling a bit under the weather, but the No. 36 still gave his best effort every time on the track. In 450 Qualifying, Marchbanks kept his lap time consistent through both sessions. The No. 36 earned fifth in the first session and ninth in the second session for ninth overall heading into the evening.
In 450 Moto 1, Marchbanks didn’t get the jump off the gate he wanted, leaving him mid-pack in the field. Despite running lap times near the Top 5 pace late in the moto, his early track position and vision issues limited his ability to capitalize and move further through the field. Marchbanks ultimately gained four positions to finish 10th in the moto.
In 450 Moto 2, Marchbanks showed a much improved start inside the Top 10. He took the first several laps to find his rhythm and pace alongside the top competitors. Once settled, Marchbanks charged through the fast-paced track to take seventh in the moto and seventh overall. Marchbanks capped off his first full year in the 450 Class with a notable sixth-place finish in the series standings.
“Feels great to get this championship. It was a stressful day, but I was able to execute two good starts, and I completed my plan to a T. I knew Cole [Davies] was going to be fast, and I knew he was going to be a good way to try to break away from the rest of the guys, so it worked out. First moto, he got me, and then second moto I got a good start and tried to stay with him as long as I could and just managed it from there. The rain coming down too made it a little bit sketchy, but we were able to get it done. I want to thank Mitch and the team for everything, and it feels good to get this done together.”
– Levi Kitchen
“I had a fun day here, and it was a fun track. I had a really frustrating first race. I was stuck behind someone for the first 12 minutes of the moto, and that was really frustrating. I ended up getting by and then making a lot of moves at the end, but still only got 13th. I had a great Moto 2. I ran fourth pretty much the whole time. I kind of stung my wrist towards the end and went off in the sand and ended up getting fifth, but it was a good way to end it here. Glad I was able to close out the season close to the front in that second moto. I really appreciate everyone in this program who has done so much for me and always been by my side.”
– Cameron McAdoo
“It wasn’t a great day here, to be honest. I really just wasn’t myself today. I struggled with some arm tightness all day that really affected both motos. In the first moto, I actually had a great start, but another rider cut the track in front of me, forcing me to drop back. For the second moto, I didn't have a lot in me and didn’t perform well. I threw away a lot and left a lot out there. Going into the off-season, I just want to stay healthy and really focus on myself. I want to take a big step forward to focus on myself and my program more, and get ready for next year.”
– Drew Adams
“Last round of the year and it wasn’t my best performance. I had some good speed, but I just haven’t had a lot of time on the bike coming into this series with my back injury, so I did what I could. We had long weeks and even longer weekends, but definitely an eye-opener, and I know what I need to work on and change for this coming year, and I'm super excited about it. I'm thankful to have this team around me. I’ll go back home and enjoy these next couple of weeks and lock in for 2027.”
– Nick Romano
“The day was solid. I qualified ninth overall. I knew it was going to be a hard last round. The last round has been tough for me the last couple of years when I raced these. I’m fighting some injuries right now and came into the week feeling under the weather. I told myself, give it all you have, and we'll see how it pans out. I went 10-7 for seventh overall, and sixth in the championship. It has been a really good year for me, especially the second half after supercross. We really figured some things out during supercross and were able to turn it around outdoors and stay consistent. I haven't always been great in these playoffs, so I was really happy with the progress we made this year and the progress today. I'm super proud of the team; they did an amazing job, and I really appreciate everything they do to put me in the best position possible.”
– Garrett Marchbanks