win the second moto, keeping
him very much alive in the SMX
Championship despite slipping
from first to third in the points
standings. Like Lawrence, he's
only 10 points back, behind
new 250SMX leader Kitchen,
the day's overall victor despite
not winning a moto.
After seeing his MX title
chances unravel late in the
series, Kitchen kept things
under control in Columbus.
He weathered the conditions
for a pair of second-place
finishes. A decisive pass on
Daxton Bennick on the final
lap of race two earned Kitchen
the overall win, his first since
the Hangtown National back in
June. This marks his second
career Playoffs podium and
sees Kitchen take over the SMX
points by five.
"We were coming to the
white flag, and I saw Dax
[Bennick]," Kitchen said of the
pass of the day. "I knew if I
could get him, I might have a
chance, but I really had no idea.
That was nice. I was able to put
two motos together. This was
a great race to have. I'm feeling
better and looking forward to
next weekend."
Daxton Bennick claimed his
first-ever professional race win
in the first moto. The Rockstar
Energy Husqvarna inherited the
lead after Davies retired from
the moto, but Bennick kept it
upright for the final four laps.
He started up front again in race
two and ran second with an eye
ROUND 1 / SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
HISTORIC CREW STADIUM | COLUMBUS, OHIO
SUPERMOTOCROSS I MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P70
Daxton Bennick scored his first-ever
moto win and later finished second
overall in 250SMX.
Levi Kitchen
rebounded with a
big win to start the
250SMX Playoffs
and now leads the
class in points.
