Last Lap Drama in Seattle
Webb outlasts Sexton for 450SX class win, Kitchen cruises to 250SX West victory at 2024 AMA Seattle Supercross
Entering the final lap of the 2024 AMA Supercross 450SX class main event in Seattle, it was anybody’s race.
Deadlocked for much of the contest, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb and Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton spent the final lap making a frantic push for the victory at Lumen Field. Webb ultimately edged out Sexton, using a burst of speed off the last turn to hold off the defending 450SX class champion and earn his third win of the season.
“Chase rode great, obviously made a few mistakes, then I’d make mistakes, and we’d go back and forth so, man, I’m stoked,” Webb said. “I just want to give it up to the good Lord, want to give it up to the team; man, we’ve been dealt some adversity and we’re fighting through it, and it just feels amazing to win.”
Webb’s three 450SX class wins trail only championship leader and Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence’s five this season. Webb and Lawrence — who finished in third place in Seattle — are the only riders with multiple 450SX class wins to this point in the season.
With the victory in Seattle, Webb jumped to 214 points on the season — cutting the gap to Lawrence to 16 points while extending his grip on second place over Sexton by seven. Webb’s victory also helped Yamaha maintain first place in the manufacturer points standings, with the brand jumping up to 460 points on the season — while Kawasaki and Honda sit behind with 428 and 422 points, respectively.
While the 450SX main event came down to the final lap, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen dominated the field to claim victory in the 250SX West class.
Racing in front of his home crowd, Kitchen secured the holeshot and led all 18 laps to secure the win by more than 20 seconds.
“I’ve been waiting for a night like this for a long time…I just finally rode like myself and to do that in front of the hometown is awesome,” Kitchen said. “I can’t give it up [enough] to all my friends and family for coming out, and shout out to my sister and my newborn nephew and niece, and just everybody, man, I’m going to really enjoy this one.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire and Jo Shimoda of Team Honda HRC joined Kitchen on the podium, as both overcame early struggles and battled their way back into the top three by the end of the race.
Kitchen extended his lead in the overall 250SX West standings, jumping to 131 points on the campaign and eight points ahead of Hampshire — who jumped Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith (110 points) with his second-place finish in Seattle.
The 2024 AMA Supercross season continues on March 30 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. The racing action will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on Peacock.