Don't know. All I know is it hasn't been the case for the last two seasons.
I'd also just like to add there has been a 'clampdown' on the amount of people who get in through the pit gate for free. It certainly isn't as many as a few seasons ago.
In other words, if he 'does the business' in heats 2 and 8 (against those he was riding against in the EL) and picks up the scraps in his other outing(s) you're looking at 5 or 6 points minimum. Job done if that were to be the case.