Born in the lowcountry of GA & SC and raised in Orangeburg, Sage “Donkmaster” Thomas built his reputation from the ground up through passion, grit, and an undeniable love for racing. The son of a schoolteacher and a chef, Sage learned discipline, creativity, and hard work early in life. Much of his childhood was spent alongside his Uncle Buggy, whose influence sparked Sage’s lifelong passion for motorsports and taught him the value of dedication and perseverance.
At just 16 years old, Sage completed his first race car project — a 1974 Chevy Nova. The thrill of bringing that car to life and taking it to the track created a feeling he still chases today with every build, every innovation, and every victory.
Driven by obsession and curiosity, Sage immersed himself in the world of drag racing from a young age. Through years of research, travel, trial and error, and hands-on experience, he sharpened both his mechanical skills and competitive edge. His introduction to Florida’s Donk racing culture came through underground racing DVDs featuring pioneers like Murff Dog, whose fast big-wheel cars inspired both admiration and ambition.
Sage made a bold decision: South Carolina would produce one of the fastest Donks in the country. He began racing at local drag strips, relentlessly refining his cars and perfecting his vision. Over the past two decades, Sage and the Skittle Pack have traveled city to city and state to state, bringing their signature “Gap Sauce” energy to tracks across America while helping build worldwide recognition and respect for the sport of Donk racing.
In November 2014, Sage transformed years of backyard hustle into a full-scale business with the opening of In and Out Customs in North Charleston. What began with building his own race cars evolved into one of the most recognized names in custom Donk culture. The shop has attracted many celebrity car enthusiasts and operates exclusively by appointment.
Beyond racing, Sage has become a cultural architect within the Donk community. His old-school car giveaways have become legendary among fans nationwide, creating opportunities for aspiring builders, racers, and young enthusiasts to enter the culture firsthand. What started as giveaways evolved into a movement — one rooted in giving back, inspiring the next generation, and keeping classic car culture alive.
After more than 20 years in the industry, Sage has transcended the need to prove himself at every race. While still respected as one of the fastest and most influential racers in the game, his focus has expanded beyond competition. Today, he is equally passionate about mentoring and developing a new generation of Donkmasters, using his platform to elevate the culture, open doors for young talent, and push the sport into the future.
With over two decades of influence, innovation, championships, and cultural impact, Sage “Donkmaster” Thomas has solidified himself as a Hall of Fame figure in Donk racing — not only for what he accomplished behind the wheel, but for the legacy he continues to build beyond the track.
Fans can watch Donkmaster on MotorTrend TV, Vice or Hulu, and catch behind-the-scenes content, races, builds, and giveaways on DonkmasterTV on YouTube.
