So I emailed a guy in my region who has worked protests at Tours and Nationals and this is what he wrote:
It is not really a "wheel stud." I think most people would agree that a "wheel stud" is a device that holds the wheel on/in place. I _guess_ you could argue it is part of the _wheel_, though.
If someone were to protest you, I think you'd be found non-compliant.
I ALSO think it is an enormously weenie protest, and I'd argue for a "no penalty" penalty if I were on the PC.
I think there's a strong argument for calling it part of the wheel or something, a locating tab, you're allowed to change wheels, removing it is in the "spirit" of the rules, etc etc etc - but I don't see a way to legally remove it...
....UNLESS Nissan calls it a "wheel stud" or "wheel locating stud." Even then, though, the rule does not allow you to REMOVE said studs.
In the end he thought it would be silly for someone to protest it, and it might be deemed a "nonprotest," but he still said it would be better to err on the side of caution.
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