Still, he maintained his support is solid nationwide.

"Reuters today had me at 44 percent nationally," Trump said. "And don't forget, that's with five people (in the GOP race). I'll take 44 percent all day long with five people."

When he ended his speech, the familiar guitar riff at the opening of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" filled the stadium. The same tune accompanied his arrival on stage.

"I can listen to that music all day long," he said.

He departed by shaking the hands of hundreds who lined the fence and signing autographs, heading toward a Super Tuesday that may well secure the Republican nomination.