Feature Story
From Humble Beginnings to a Household Name
Levi Kitchen's Journey to the Top
Current 250 Class points leader and championship contender Levi Kitchen has become one of the most recognizable names in motocross, quite different from his humble roots in Washougal, Washington. Nicknamed "The Chef," Kitchen was born and raised in the small Pacific Northwest town to his parents, Paul and Sara Kitchen, alongside his older sister Renee. A quaint little town nestled along the Columbia River and surrounded by towering evergreens, Washougal is not only home for the Kitchen family but hosts one of the more iconic and picturesque rounds on the Pro Motocross schedule.
For Kitchen, the deep roots of motocross in Washougal helped shape his childhood. His father, Paul, who was also born and raised in Washougal, grew up just a couple of miles from the Washougal MX Park, close enough to hear the bikes rev in the distance. Paul developed a passion for the sport as a kid after buying his first dirt bike and competing at local races.
That passion was passed down early. Levi climbed onto his first dirt bike at just three years old, following in his father's footsteps, and his natural ability was evident immediately. Having already started riding a bicycle at 18 months old, balancing on two wheels came naturally. The family's five-acre property became his first training ground, with Paul building a practice track around the house shortly after Levi received his first bike. By the age of six, Levi entered his first race at a local Arenacross event. He quickly proved to be ahead of his peers, prompting his parents to move him into the intermediate classes right after, believing the tougher competition would accelerate his development.
Despite his early success on the bike, Kitchen's childhood remained relatively normal. He attended public school while racing amateur events around the country before eventually transitioning to online classes during high school. In the winter of 2018, in his senior year of high school, Kitchen and his family knew it was time to decide whether motocross would remain a hobby or become his career. Determined to find the right environment for Levi's development, Sara began contacting training facilities across the country. Their search ultimately led them to the Real Deal Training Facility in Kentwood, Louisiana, owned by Rob and Sherry Burkhart. Just before Levi turned 18, Paul and Sara packed up the family motorhome and made the cross-country drive from Washington to Louisiana, a leap of faith that eventually kick-started his professional journey.
While teams and opportunities have changed over the years, the foundation of Kitchen's career has remained remarkably consistent. His parents, Paul and Sara, continue to attend multiple races throughout the year, while Rob Burkhart, who played a key role in his early development, is still by his side as his practice mechanic and a regular face helping him out on race day.
Levi now returns home to Washougal with the coveted red plate. The little kid who once rode laps around a backyard track just a few miles from Washougal MX Park now arrives at his hometown race leading the championship, completing a full-circle moment years in the making.
