Fans Back Earnhardt's Move to Hendrick

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., walks down pit row before the qualifying laps for Sunday's Citizens Bank 400 auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Friday, June 15, 2007. With a pair of superstar drivers and an unbelievable winning percentage this season, Hendrick Motorsports was already the best in NASCAR. The addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season will make the team a Murder's Row on wheels, and make beating them even harder. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio - AP)

Junior-related merchandise accounts for about 30 percent of NASCAR's sales.

Earnhardt makes an estimated $20 million annually, half of which is believed to come from merchandise sales.

When Earnhardt announced May 10 he was leaving DEI, he worried about how his loyal followers would react.

He didn't have to fret long.

Sales of Earnhardt merchandise at race tracks are up 17 percent since his May 10 announcement, industry analysts said. At NASCAR.com, where his figures spiked 107 percent the first week, sales have now leveled off but are still slightly above last season's pace.

On the wall of Junior's pit at MIS, one of the written messages included: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Welcome to a winning team. HMS."

Junior said he has been surprised by the support.

"You didn't really know what their reaction was going to be, but they've always been supportive in the past," he said. "Certainly, this is a little bit bigger deal than anything else I've ever done, and they continue to be supportive."