The present invention relates to novel dryer systems that incorporate two-stage processes for heating air for drying a traveling web. The present invention is operable within a drying system having a drying hood containing a dryer. The drying hood receives heated air through an intake and expels system air through an exhaust. The portion of system air that is maintained in the system is divided into two portions and directed into separate parallel conduits for two-stage heating that results in greater temperature uniformity and efficiency within the system. One loop includes a mixing chamber for the initial mixing of system air with the combustion products of a burner. A second loop includes an injection chamber that receives the initially mixed air and injects it into the other portion of the system air, resulting in greater temperature uniformity within the drying hood and increased operating efficiency for the entire system.