Foothill Ranch, Calif. (September 13, 2026) – Monster Energy® Kawasaki opened the 2026 SMX World Championship Playoffs with victories in both the 250SMX and SMX Next classes at a rain-soaked first round in Columbus, Ohio. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen delivered consistent 2-2 moto finishes to claim the 250SMX overall victory and take control of the championship standings. Returning from injury, Cameron McAdoo finished fifth overall with 6-7 moto scores, with Drew Adams securing ninth overall (10-11), and Nick Romano, also returning to finish 21st overall (21-20). In SMX Next, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Kade Johnson captured the Main Event victory, with teammate Vincent Wey joining him on the podium in third. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Garrett Marchbanks completed the challenging Columbus round, overcoming adversity to finish 10th overall (7-16) in the 450SMX class.

Heavy rain, lightning, and severe weather completely reshaped Saturday’s race schedule in Columbus. A lightning hold kept riders off the track for much of the morning, and the anticipated return to racing was repeatedly pushed back before becoming an indefinite delay. Officials later eliminated the qualifying sessions for both the 250SMX and 450SMX classes while retaining SMX Next qualifying. The abbreviated schedule meant the 250SMX and 450SMX riders would have their gate picks based on their incoming SMX standings, making the afternoon motos the first time they would see the slick and rapidly deteriorating track conditions that day.

In the 250SMX Wildcard Race, Romano and McAdoo lined up for their opportunity to transfer into the motos. Romano launched to the holeshot aboard his KX™250 and immediately established himself at the front of the field, controlling the race through the checkered flag to claim the victory. McAdoo maintained a strong pace in fourth to secure his transfer and valuable track time before the motos.

In 250SMX Moto 1, Kitchen and Romano launched near the front while McAdoo held strong in the Top 10, and Adams in the Top 15. Kitchen established himself as a podium contender and battled between third and fourth as deep ruts, standing water, and constantly changing lines challenged the field. After overcoming a crash, the No. 47 made a late charge to secure second at the checkered flag. McAdoo rode a calculated race through the difficult conditions to climb to sixth, while Adams battled inside the Top 10 before finishing 10th. Romano showed speed early in the Top 5, but a pair of crashes dropped the No. 141 through the field to 21st.

In 250SMX Moto 2, another strong start put Kitchen in fourth place and back in contention at the front of the field. As the track continued to deteriorate, Kitchen remained patient and steadily advanced, eventually making his way into second to complete a consistent 2-2 afternoon and secure the 250SMX overall victory. McAdoo maintained his place inside the Top 10 to finish seventh, earning an impressive fifth overall with 6-7 scores in his return to competition. After a difficult start and two crashes dropped Adams as far back as 19th, the No. 35 charged through the field to 11th and secured ninth overall with 10-11 finishes. Romano battled from the back following a difficult start and multiple tip-overs, crossing the line 20th to finish 21st overall with 21-20 scores. Kitchen’s Columbus result serves as his first career SMX World Championship Playoff win. His consistent scores moved the No. 47 Kawasaki into the lead of the 250SMX championship standings going into Playoff #2 in Los Angeles. 

In SMX Next Qualifying, Wey quickly established himself near the front of the field, running second during the opening stages of the session as Johnson positioned himself fourth. When qualifying concluded, Wey secured the second-fastest time overall, while Johnson completed the session fifth to put both Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders inside the Top 5 heading into the main event.

In the SMX Next Main Event, Johnson grabbed the holeshot and immediately established a gap at the front of the field, while Wey ran with the lead group on the opening lap. Johnson surrendered the top position during the early stages but remained within striking distance as the race progressed. With two laps remaining, the Team Green rider reclaimed the lead and held strong through the checkered flag to secure the SMX Next Main Event victory. Wey’s consistency allowed him to remain among the frontrunners throughout the race and join his teammate on the podium for an impressive third. Both Johnson and Wey will mirror their results in the SMX Next points standings, heading into Los Angeles SMX first and third, respectively. 

In 450SMX Moto 1, a hectic opening sequence left Marchbanks deep in the field, but the No. 36 quickly began working his way forward. Marchbanks advanced into 11th before breaking into the Top 10 and continued gaining positions despite the challenging track conditions. A determined charge ultimately carried him to seventh at the checkered flag, putting him in a stronger position heading into the second moto.

In 450SMX Moto 2, Marchbanks was forced to battle from the back of the field after a difficult start and an early crash. He regrouped and worked to recover positions throughout the remainder of the moto despite the deteriorated track, ultimately crossing the line 16th. Combined with his seventh-place result in Moto 1, Marchbanks left Columbus 10th overall and seventh in the 450SMX championship standings. 

“With everything that’s happened over the last few weeks and then the weather today, it was a challenging start to the day, but once we got racing, something just clicked. I fought hard in both motos and was able to put together two solid rides. I needed this one. It’s been a while since I’ve had a day like this, and to leave here with the win and the points lead feels really good. I’m proud of the fight today, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into next weekend.”

 – Levi Kitchen

“I’m pretty stoked on my day overall in Ohio at the first round of the playoffs. I always enjoy a good mudder, especially when I can keep it on two wheels all day. Fifth overall on the day, and I’m looking forward to hopefully getting a dry race in Los Angeles next weekend!”

 – Cameron McAdoo

“It was a really rainy, tough day here in Columbus. I had a pretty good start in the first moto but faded back a little bit and ended up 10th. In the second moto, I had two crashes, one off the start and another in the middle of the moto. I kept pushing and ended up ninth overall. We’ll regroup this week, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

 – Drew Adams

“It was good to be back racing, but definitely a frustrating day. Winning the Wildcard race felt good, and I was hoping to carry that into the motos. I had the speed, but too many mistakes in those conditions cost me. It’s frustrating because I know the result doesn’t reflect where I should be.”

 – Nick Romano

“It was a challenging day with the weather and the track conditions, but I felt like we made the most of it in the first moto. I didn’t get the start I wanted, but I was able to keep moving forward and work my way up to seventh. Moto 2 was tougher after another bad start and an early crash put me pretty far back. I kept fighting until the end, and we’ll take what we learned from this round and come back ready for Los Angeles.”

 – Garrett Marchbanks

“This win means so much to me. It’s been a long road with a lot of ups and downs, so to put everything together and get this win feels incredible. I’m really grateful for everyone at Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green who continues to believe in me and support me. This is a huge confidence boost, and I’m excited to keep building from here.”

 – Kade Johnson

“It was a pretty good day. I felt comfortable in qualifying and was able to carry that into the main event. The conditions were tough, but I rode a solid race and left with third. It’s always good to be on the podium, and I’m happy with how I rode. We’ll keep working and build from here.”

 – Vincent Wey