Nate Thrasher will join Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki for the 2027 Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship after spending the first seven years of his professional career with Yamaha Star Racing. He joins returning riders Levi Kitchen, Seth Hammaker, Drew Adams and Nick Romano in a five-rider lineup targeting further championship success.
After seven seasons with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, the Tennessee native will begin a new chapter in 2027, joining one of the most successful teams in the 250 Class with the ambition of fighting for a championship.
Thrasher arrives with an established record in AMA Supercross, having won at least one 250SX race in every season since his debut in 2021. His latest victory came at Round 14 in Cleveland during the 2026 campaign, bringing his career tally to seven Monster Energy AMA Supercross wins.
Now, the 26-year-old is looking to turn that race-winning speed into a title with his new team. Thrasher is also targeting a significant personal milestone as he aims to reach 10 career race victories during the upcoming season.
«I’m super excited to join Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. It’s been a lifelong dream to be on this team, and I can’t wait to start riding the KX™250F,» Thrasher said. «I’ll be training in Florida with my teammates Levi [Kitchen] and Nick [Romano]. Mitch Payton and the whole team have been great and super welcoming.»
«I look forward to getting the bike dialed in, and my goal is to win a championship this year. I want to keep stacking race wins; my goal would be to get to 10 race wins total within this year. I feel like this is my year, and I want to make it count.»
Kitchen returns as well as Hammaker, Adams and Romano
Levi Kitchen returns as the reigning 250SMX World Champion after securing the first title of his career in 2026. The Washington native remained in contention across all three championship series, finishing runner-up in the Western Divisional 250SX Championship before taking third in Pro Motocross.
Seth Hammaker will begin his seventh season with the team after another campaign highlighted by race-winning speed. The Pennsylvania rider claimed a 250SX victory at Daytona and finished second in the Eastern Divisional 250SX Championship. He also secured his first career Pro Motocross overall victory at Fox Raceway and briefly led the championship before a shoulder injury at High Point ended his outdoor campaign.
Drew Adams returns for another season after continuing to develop during his second year as a professional. Despite battling injuries throughout 2026, he demonstrated his speed by earning fastest qualifier honors at Daytona Supercross and the Spring Creek National. His focus for 2027 will be translating that qualifying pace and progression into consistent front-running results.
Nick Romano, meanwhile, has secured a full-time ride after initially joining the team as a fill-in during the 2026 Supercross season. His standout performance came at Thunder Valley, where 4-5 moto finishes earned him his first career overall podium with third place.
