Tony Maderazzo, chief operating officer of the Monster Truck Nitro Tour, compares a monster truck’s logic-defying abilities to those of an aircraft carrier.

“If you look at an aircraft carrier, and really think about it, it shouldn’t float. It’s too heavy,” Maderazzo said.

“Well, a 12,000-lb. truck isn’t supposed to fly through the air, land safely and drive away. But they can, and they do.”

Colorado Springs fans will be able to see these engineering marvels up close and personal on Saturday when the Monster Truck Nitro Tour comes to the Norris Penrose Event Center for two earth-shaking, action-packed shows.

Monster trucks, and the shows that highlight them, have come a long way since Bob Chandler built the first outsized truck — named Bigfoot — in 1975.

“At that time, the monster truck was almost like a sideshow,” said Maderazzo, who is in his 30th year with the Nitro Tour. “Just looking at it was enough, because no one had seen anything like it. Now, these guys are launching them, doing acrobatic tricks, standing them on their front two wheels. It’s amazing how far they have come, and the sport is still evolving.”

Saturday’s shows will feature USA-1, the Lone Wolf (a truck outfitted to resemble a snarling wolf), Anubis, Boss Gator and Midnight Panic competing in wheelie contests, races and freestyle performances.

“When it comes to favorites, it’s hard to beat USA-1. It’s one of the legendary names of the sport,” Maderazzo said. “But the Lone Wolf is extremely popular as well, especially with kids. Kids just love that truck.”

There’s something about watching a giant truck soar through the air that appeals to a person’s inner child, which is why monster truck events have remained popular for more than four decades, Maderazzo said.

“It doesn’t matter if you were the little boy who played with a Tonka truck, or the girl who took it away from him, there’s something about trucks and dirt that takes us back to our childhood,” he said. “There’s something in it for everyone.”

Organizers have always worked to make the Nitro Tour a family-friendly spectacle, according to Maderazzo.

“We want it to be an event that involves the whole family,” he said. “The fans are a part of the show. We get them to interact. They get to choose the winners by round of applause. It’s just good, clean, affordable fun.”

Saturday’s event will also feature “Tuff Truck” racing and a “Pit Party,” where fans who show up early can meet the drivers, get autographs, take photos, and even take a ride on a monster truck.

“You have to get up close to really get a feel for how massive these machines are,” Maderazzo said. “The tires alone are 5½ feet tall. When you have to climb a ladder to get into a truck, you can appreciate the skill it takes to race them and push them to the limit.”

Maderazzo said the Nitro Tour typically enjoys a robust welcome in Colorado Springs.

“The fans in Colorado Springs have been great to us, and Norris Penrose is known for its great outdoor facility,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to it.”