Easton Soderbloom Carries on Three-Generation Family Tradition

CROMWELL, Minn. — For 12-year-old Easton Soderbloom, motocross racing is more than a sport. It is a passion that has taken him from riding around the family yard as a young child to competing on tracks across Minnesota and Wisconsin, where speed, skill and determination are tested every weekend.

Despite setbacks that included a broken collarbone last year; a serious crash that left him with a fractured rib, collapsed lung, spinal fracture and a concussion this year; and a broken foot late in the season, Easton continued to compete and finished third overall in the North Star motocross series. He also earned a sixth-place ranking in his age group in Minnesota.

His accomplishments reflect not only his talent on the track but also his determination to return stronger after setbacks, with support from his family, a dedicated trainer and a community of fellow racers. Easton is also carrying on a family tradition. He is the third generation of Soderblooms to compete in racing. His grandfather, Jay, raced snowmobiles, while his father, Chris, competed in both snocross and motocross. Easton has also tried snocross but now focuses exclusively on motocross.

A passion that started young

Easton has been riding dirt bike since he was 3 years old, initially riding around the yard, through fields and in gravel pits. About three years ago, he decided he wanted to take the next step and begin racing competitively. Chris said he could see his son’s desire to go faster and challenge himself.

The family began practicing regularly, initially expecting to enter only a race or two to gain experience. They started at Echo Valley Motocross Park near Brookston, where Easton quickly discovered how much he enjoyed competition.

When asked what attracted him to motocross, Easton offered a simple explanation. “Maybe because it is the only place I can go wild and without getting yelled at,” he said.

That enthusiasm soon turned into a serious commitment. The family attended training camps and spent countless hours preparing for races. By last season, Easton was advancing quickly and becoming increasingly confident on the track. Easton regularly finished among the top four riders in his classes, establishing himself as a contender in the series.

A Fourth of July crash changes the season

Easton’s progress came to an abrupt halt on July 4 last year at Staples.

During practice following a session for larger dirt bikes, Easton attempted a 75-foot triple jump he had successfully completed many times before. However, the track surface had changed, with deep ruts and rough landing areas created by the larger bikes. Easton landed in a rut and was thrown from his dirt bike, breaking his collarbone.

The injury ended his racing for the remainder of that season. Rather than rush his return, the family used the time to attend additional training camps and prepare for the next year. Easton returned to competition with a renewed focus, training throughout the winter and racing at an indoor facility in Cedar Lake near New Richmond, Wisconsin. With the winter experience behind him, Easton entered the summer racing season ready to compete near the front of the pack.
Then came another unexpected accident.

Around the 4th of July, just one year since his first accident, Easton was running near the front at the Brookston race when he struck a basketball-sized rock that had been knocked loose by larger dirt bikes. The rock was hidden in a rut, leaving little opportunity to avoid it.

Traveling at approximately 60 mph, Easton hit the rock and crashed. He suffered a fractured rib, a collapsed lung, a spinal fracture and a concussion, requiring an overnight hospital stay. At the time, Easton was third in the North Star series standings. Even while recovering, he was concerned about maintaining enough race appearances to remain eligible for the season’s final standings.

With his parents’ agreement, he returned to the track the following weekend but rode cautiously, focusing on completing the race rather than pushing his limits. After a weekend off, he continued recovering until doctors cleared him to resume racing at his normal pace. He gradually regained his form, worked his way back up the standings and ultimately reclaimed third place overall in the North Star series. He finished just five points short of second place.

As if the season had not already provided enough challenges, Easton broke his foot in an accident at home shortly before the final two races. He nevertheless completed the season with the injury, demonstrating the determination that has become a defining part of his racing journey.

Rebuilding confidence after injury

Recovering physically was only part of Easton’s challenge. After the crash, he also needed to rebuild his confidence and trust his abilities on the track.

The family found help in Bailey Kroone, a pro racer who had experienced his own lengthy recovery from injury. Kroone began training Easton about three weeks after the accident, helping him work through the mental challenges that can accompany a serious crash. Chris said Kroone has been instrumental in helping his son regain confidence and develop an even stronger mindset.

Easton said the biggest change has been learning to believe in himself and his ability to improve during a race. Rather than allowing the memory of the crash to dominate his thoughts, he has worked on concentrating on the track, trusting his preparation and approaching each race with renewed confidence. Training sessions also include physical preparation and prayer. The family makes faith part of its routine before practice and competition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong mindset while facing the risks and challenges of racing.

Racing is a family affair

For the Soderblooms, motocross is not simply about results and trophies. It has become a family activity that provides opportunities to travel, make friends and spend time together away from everyday responsibilities. Chris described the excitement that builds throughout the week as the family prepares for the next race weekend. 

Even after a long Sunday at the track, when everyone is exhausted, conversations quickly turn toward the following weekend’s race, the work needed to prepare the dirt bikes and which friends they will see again. “At the track, young racers spend their time riding pedal bikes, swimming, fishing and playing with friends,” Chris explained. “The atmosphere is one of the things I appreciate most about the sport. It’s really a fun family thing for us.”

The commitment requires considerable time, effort and financial support. The family spends much of the week maintaining equipment and preparing dirt bike, while traveling to races throughout the region. Sponsors also play an important role in making competition possible. Easton’s supporters include R-Tech Insulation, Cromwell Self-Serve, Koivisto Trucking, Gregory Waldhalm Utility & Excavating, PDR Performance, FXR, Renthal, Twin Air, 100Percent and ETS Performance.
Chris said the support of sponsors has made a significant difference for the family as Easton continues to develop as a racer.

Looking ahead

Despite the setbacks, Easton has established ambitious goals for the coming season.

He hopes to win the North Star series and finish among the top three in Minnesota. His sixth-place Minnesota ranking this year provides a strong foundation as he prepares to compete against some of the state’s best riders in his age group. The family is also making plans to upgrade his equipment. Easton spent the season racing an 85cc dirt bike configured with smaller wheels for one of his classes. Moving to larger wheels should help the bike handle rough track surfaces and jumps more effectively.

The family also plans to build a second dirt bike with a 112cc engine, giving Easton another machine to learn and race as he moves forward.


After a season filled with injuries, recovery and hard-earned results, Easton is focused on what comes next. For a third-generation Soderbloom racer, the tradition continues, one lap at a time.