On an overcast, 101-degree Friday evening in Mesa, Arizona, the familiar rhythm of weekly group match play gave way to an absolute masterclass. Chris Stoltenberg left no room for doubt at the Atomic Age Modern Group Match Play tournament, putting up the top score on five of the six machines he played on his way to an emphatic first-place finish.
The event drew 25 total participants—including 19 IFPA-ranked competitors and five players ranked in the national top 1,000—making for a highly competitive local draw. Yet Stoltenberg, whose rating has been steadily improving this season to reach IFPA #2,599, systematically dismantled the field. His performance set the standard on the tournament floor, proving that when his flipper skills are dialed in, he can completely control a tournament.
The Mesa Atmosphere and Early Qualifying Scrimmages
Stepping into Atomic Age Modern on Main Street offers competitors a distinct, energetic backdrop where vintage charm meets pristine mechanical conditions. Patrons consistently praise the shop’s friendly ownership and the exceptionally well-maintained pinball tables, alongside player-friendly amenities like a convenient change machine and a sensible BYOB policy. With the ambient aroma of an amazing Venezuelan restaurant drifting in from next door, the field settled in for six rounds of intense four-player group games.
The tournament opened with the strongest competitors establishing their footing early in Round 1. Tournament organizer Bob Kennedy quickly asserted himself on Chicago Gaming’s Cactus Canyon Remake Special, capturing seven points with a group win while forcing Stoltenberg into a quiet third-place finish. Meanwhile, state standout Jason Barre—the highest-ranked player in the room at national IFPA #375—cruised to an opening victory on King Kong: Myth of Terror Island.
Flight 2000 Clashes and the Field Tightening
As the qualifying rounds progressed into the heart of the evening, the margins between contenders narrowed considerably. A pivotal dramatic beat unfolded during Round 2 on Stern Electronics’ 1980 classic, Flight 2000. Contender Frankie Estrella executed a brilliant game across the 15-minute clash, sweeping the right drop targets and ripping the right spinner to advance its value and surge past visiting Washington standout Jared Harris.
Estrella’s massive seven-point victory left Harris settling for second place in the group, while local regular Dave Landro and Alex Cardwell were pushed to the bottom of the scorecard. Despite this stumble, Harris maintained a fierce overall pace throughout the middle acts of the tournament. The field continued to tighten as players scrambled for positioning, setting up a brutal homestretch where every single flip carried crucial point weight.
Stoltenberg’s Unstoppable Flipper Clinic
After his modest opening round, Stoltenberg simply refused to lose again. He embarked on a staggering five-game winning streak, putting on an absolute flipper clinic across multiple eras of pinball design. He completely controlled the floor, dominating Evel Knievel in Round 2 before conquering the modern geometry of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire in Round 3.
His runaway momentum showed no signs of slowing down on the complex ramps or treacherous outlanes. Stoltenberg posted the highest group score on Whirlwind in Round 4, and followed it up by dismantling Stern’s newly released Pokémon Premium table in Round 5. By consistently executing the safest shots and managing playfield risk, he built an insurmountable edge over the chasing pack before the final round even began.
Shifting Rivalries on the Dolly Parton Homestretch
The dramatic peak of the night arrived in Round 6, where top finishers Stoltenberg and Harris faced off on Bally’s 1978 table, Dolly Parton. The 18-minute four-player marathon required extreme physical precision, with savvy competitors focusing on collecting letters to maximize their bonus rather than risking dangerous drop target rebounds. Stoltenberg once again rose to the occasion, capturing first place in the game to cap off his night while Harris took second over kevin jin and Paul Acosta.
The decisive homestretch fundamentally reshaped several long-standing local rivalries. Stoltenberg’s dominant evening allowed him to finish ahead of local titan Bob Kennedy, chipping away at Kennedy’s historical advantage, which now stands at 24 finishes ahead across 39 shared events. Furthermore, Harris successfully broke his historical deadlock with Kennedy, finishing ahead tonight to take a 4-3 placement lead over their shared tournament history. Finally, Stephan Klein—whose rating has trended upward beautifully over the past year to reach IFPA #2,988—put together a phenomenal runner-up performance that brought him dead even in his personal rivalry with Kennedy at two finishes ahead apiece.
A Resounding Statement for the Arizona Calendar
When the final flippers cooled, Stoltenberg’s incredible arena sweep stood out as one of the most complete regional performances of the year. Earning a solid haul of 82 WPPR points, this decisive victory significantly bolsters his standing within the Arizona NACS state rankings as the summer competitive calendar heats up. Moving forward, competitors heading into upcoming monthly clashes at Starfighters and future match play battles at Atomic Age Modern will undoubtedly be looking for ways to disrupt Stoltenberg’s dialed-in floor strategies. He landed atop a hard-fought podium that reflects the absolute highest tier of Southwest competitive play.
- 1st Place: Chris Stoltenberg
- 2nd Place: Stephan Klein
- 3rd Place (Tied): Bob Kennedy
- 3rd Place (Tied): Jared Harris
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